Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [buhm-bling]
- /ˈbʌm blɪŋ/
- /ˈbʌm.blɪŋ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [buhm-bling]
- /ˈbʌm blɪŋ/
Definitions of bumbling word
- adjective bumbling If you describe a person or their behaviour as bumbling, you mean that they behave in a confused, disorganized way, making mistakes and usually not achieving anything. 3
- adjective bumbling liable to make awkward blunders: a bumbling mechanic. 1
- adjective bumbling clumsily incompetent or ineffectual: bumbling diplomacy. 1
- noun bumbling an awkward blunder. 1
- verb without object bumbling to make a buzzing, humming sound, as a bee. 1
- verb with object bumbling to do (something) clumsily; botch. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of bumbling
First appearance:
before 1525 One of the 28% oldest English words
First recorded in 1525-35; bumble1 + -ing2
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Bumbling
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
bumbling popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 79% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
bumbling usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for bumbling
adj bumbling
- inept — without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment; maladroit: He is inept at mechanical tasks. She is inept at dealing with people.
- bungling — to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch: He bungled the job.
- awkward — An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with.
- clumsy — A clumsy person moves or handles things in a careless, awkward way, often so that things are knocked over or broken.
- gauche — lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless: Their exquisite manners always make me feel gauche.
Antonyms for bumbling
adj bumbling
- close at hand — lying in the near future or vicinity; nearby or imminent.
- close-at-hand — lying in the near future or vicinity; nearby or imminent.
- handy — within easy reach; conveniently available; accessible: The aspirins are handy.
- near at hand — close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won't have to shout.
adjective bumbling
- wieldy — readily wielded or managed, as in use or action.
Top questions with bumbling
- what does bumbling mean?
See also
Matching words
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