What does "blunder" mean?
A clumsy or embarrassing mistake.
Blunder
/ˈblʌn.dɚ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A clumsy or embarrassing mistake.
- Grammar: blunder is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: botch, bungle, error, absurdity.
- Useful contrasts: accuracy, careful planning, carefulness.
- Usage evidence: What was she doing when she made that blunder?
How to use "blunder"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "blunder" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "blunder" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "blunder" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "blunder" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "blunder" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "botch" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "blunder", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A clumsy or embarrassing mistake.
- 2 an embarrassing mistake wordnet
- 3 A very bad move, usually caused by some tactical oversight.
- 4 Confusion; bewilderment; trouble; disturbance; clamour. obsolete
Verb
- 1 To make a big mistake, especially when it is careless or stupid. intransitive
"to blunder in preparing a medical prescription"
- 2 utter impulsively wordnet
- 3 To make a big mistake, especially when it is careless or stupid.; To make a bad move, especially caused by tactical oversight. intransitive
- 4 make one's way clumsily or blindly wordnet
- 5 To make a big mistake, especially when it is careless or stupid.; To lose a piece due to having made a bad move [with the piece lost]. intransitive, transitive
"blunder a rook"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake wordnet
- 7 To make a big mistake, especially when it is careless or stupid.; To overlook the possibility of, or end up in, a specified undesirable situation after making a bad move. intransitive, transitive
"blunder a draw"
- 8 To move in an unsteady way. figuratively, intransitive, sometimes
"I was never distinguished for address, and have often even blundered in making my bow."
- 9 To enter a place or become involved in a difficult situation by mistake. intransitive
"He and I had blundered into the middle of a gang fight once and I saw him shank a guy-stuck homeboy in the chest and strolled off cool as you please."
- 10 To do or treat in a blundering manner; to confuse. obsolete, transitive
"He blunders and confounds all these together."
Antonyms
Example
"What was she doing when she made that blunder?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "blunder"?
Common synonyms include: botch, bungle, error, absurdity, accident, act of folly.
How do you use "blunder" in a sentence?
What was she doing when she made that blunder?
How do you pronounce "blunder"?
Pronounced /ˈblʌn.dɚ/.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English blundren, blondren (verb) and blunder, blonder (“disturbance, strife”), from the verb; partly from Middle English blondren, a frequentative form of Middle English blonden, blanden ("to mix; mix up"; corresponding to blend + -er); and partly from Middle English blundren, a frequentative form of Middle English blunden (“to stagger; stumble”), from Old Norse blunda (“to shut the eyes; doze”). Cognates include Norwegian blunda (“to shut the eyes; doze”), dialectal Swedish blundra (“to act blindly or rashly”), Danish blunde (“to blink”) or blunde (“to take a nap”), Icelandic blunda (“to nap; doze”). Related to English blind.