to feel or grope about clumsily

She fumbled in her purse for the keys.

Sports . to fumble the ball.

to make, handle, etc., clumsily or inefficiently

to fumble an attempt; He fumbled his way through the crowded room.

Sports . to fail to hold or maintain hold on (a ball) after having touched it or carried it.

the act of fumbling

We completed the difficult experiment without a fumble.

Sports . an act or instance of fumbling the ball.