Verb

(fumbl)

(intransitive) To idly touch or nervously handle

Waiting for the interview, he fumbled with his tie.

He fumbled the key into the lock.

* {{quote-news

, year=2010 , date=December 28 , author=Owen Phillips , title=Sunderland 0 - 2 Blackpool , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Henderson's best strike on goal saw goalkeeper Kingson uncomfortably fumble his measured shot around the post.}}

(intransitive) To grope awkwardly in trying to find something

He fumbled for his keys.

He fumbled his way to the light-switch.

* Fielding

Adams now began to fumble in his pockets.

To blunder uncertainly.

He fumbled through his prepared speech.

To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly.

to fumble for an excuse

* Chesterfield

My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles .

* Wordsworth

Alas! how he fumbles about the domains.

(transitive, intransitive, sports) To drop a ball or a baton etc.

To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.

* Shakespeare

I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers.

Verb

(intransitive) To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.

Please try not to mumble so I can hear you better.

* Shakespeare

Peace, you mumbling fool.

* Otway

A wrinkled hag, with age grown double, / Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself.

To chew something gently with closed lips.