Meaning of muff in English

1. Pronunciation

   /məf/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce muff in British English, in context ▾
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1. Verb

   muff

   Etymology

   early 19th century: of unknown origin

   Definitions

   1. fail to catch, as of a ball
2. 2. make a mess of, destroy or ruin

   Examples

   • « I botched the dinner and we had to eat out »
   • « the pianist screwed up the difficult passage in the second movement »

3. Noun

   muff

   Etymology

   mid 16th century: from Dutch mof, Middle Dutch muffel, from medieval Latin muff(u)la, of unknown ultimate origin

   Definitions

   1. a warm tubular covering for the hands
4. 2. (sports) dropping the ball