bungle

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌŋɡ(ə)l/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an embarrassing mistake
  2. verb make a mess of, destroy or ruin
  3. verb spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly

Etymology

The origin of the verb is uncertain; it is either: * onomatopoeic in origin (compare bumble (“to act in an inept, clumsy or inexpert manner; to make mistakes”), fumble (“to grope awkwardly in trying to find something; to blunder uncertainly”)); or * from Old Norse; compare Old Swedish bunga (“to strike”), and dialectal Swedish bangla (“to work ineffectually”). The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates * German Bengel (“cudgel; rude fellow”) * Middle High German bungen (“to hammer”)

In classic literature

Synonyms

blunder, blooper, bloomer, pratfall, foul-up, fuckup, flub, botch, boner, boo-boo

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
mistake
Narrower (hyponyms)
faux pas, snafu, bull, fumble, howler, fluff

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