Illustration of muff
muffed; muffing; muffs
1
: a bungling performance
2
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
Synonyms
Examples of muff in a Sentence
Verb
He muffed his chance for a promotion.
The outfielder muffed an easy catch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Raven Brunner, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Snow Deer Heated Hand Muff with 7.4V Rechargeable Battery
Snow Deer Heated Hand Muff with 7.4V Rechargeable Battery
These heated hand muffs are a hunter’s dream.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
However, the ball was muffed by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh on the opposite 38, giving them life again.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for muff 
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Noun
Meanwhile, Haley and Hope respectively stayed warm in lavender and black jackets, furry ear muffs and boots.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Snow Deer Heated Hand Muff with 7.4V Rechargeable Battery
Snow Deer Heated Hand Muff with 7.4V Rechargeable Battery
These heated hand muffs are a hunter’s dream.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
However, the ball was muffed by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh on the opposite 38, giving them life again.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for muff
Dictionary Entries Near muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muff
1 of 2 noun
: a soft thick tubelike covering with open ends in which both hands may be inserted for protection from cold
muff
2 of 2 noun
: a clumsy or bungled performance
especially
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
muff
verb
Etymology
Noun
from Dutch mof "a cover for the hands," from early French moufle "mitten"
Noun
probably from 1muff
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