Bungle

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbʌŋɡl/

Origin

From Old Norse, akin to Swedish dialect bangla 'to work ineffectually', from Old Swedish bunga 'to strike'. Compare German Bengel 'cudgel; rude fellow', Middle High German bungen 'to hammer'.

Full definition of bungle

Noun

1. A botched or incompetently handled situation.1888 The Soudan bungle was born partly of sentimental loyalty and partly of the aforementioned jealousy existing between the colonies, and now at a time when the colonies should club closer together our Government is doing all they can to widen the breach by trying to pass a bill enabling New South Wales to monopolise the name “Australia”. — Henry Lawson, "".

Verb

1. To botch up, bumble or incompetently perform a task; to make or mend clumsily; to manage awkwardly.1853 His hand shakes, he is nervous, and it falls off. “Would any one believe this?” says he, catching it as it drops and looking round. “I am so out of sorts that I bungle at an easy job like this!” — Charles Dickens, Bleak House, .
• ByronI always had an idea that it would be bungled.

Anagrams

• blunge