Botch

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /bÉ’t͡ʃ/
• GenAm IPA: /bɑːt͡ʃ/
• Rhymes: -É’tʃ

Middle English bocchen ("to mend"), of uncertain origin.

Full definition of botch

Verb

1. (transitive) To perform (a task) in an unacceptable or incompetent manner; to make a mess of something; to ruin; to bungle; to spoil; to destroy.A botched haircut seems to take forever to grow out.
2. To do something without skill, without care, or clumsily.

Noun

1. An action, job, or task that has been performed very badly.
2. A patch put on, or a part of a garment patched or mended in a clumsy manner.
3. A ruined, defective, or clumsy piece of work; mess; bungle.
• ShakespeareTo leave no rubs nor botches in the work.
4. A mistake that is very stupid or embarrassing.
5. A messy, disorderly or confusing combination; conglomeration; hodgepodge.

Related terms

• bodge

From Anglo-Norman boche, from Late Latin bocia ("boss").

Noun

1. (obsolete) A tumour or other malignant swelling.
• MiltonBotches and blains must all his flesh emboss.
2. A case or outbreak of boils or sores.
• 1395, John Wycliffe, Bible, Job II:Therfor Sathan ȝede out fro the face of the Lord, and smoot Joob with a ful wickid botche fro the sole of the foot til to his top ....
• 1611, Bible (Authorized Version), Deuteronomy XXVIII:The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.