n.
A usually serious mistake typically caused by ignorance or confusion.
v., -dered, -der·ing, -ders. v.intr.
- To move clumsily or blindly.
- To make a usually serious mistake.
- To make a stupid, usually serious error in; botch.
- To utter (something) stupidly or thoughtlessly.
[From Middle English blunderen, to go blindly, perhaps from Old Swedish blundra, have one's eyes closed, from Old Norse blunda.]
blunderer blun'der·er n.blunderingly blun'der·ing·ly adv.
SYNONYMS blunder, bumble, flounder, lumber, lurch, stumble. These verbs mean to move awkwardly or unsteadily: blundered about the dark room; flies bumbling against the screen; floundered up the muddy trail; a wagon lumbering along an unpaved road; twisted her ankle and lurched home; stumbled but regained his balance.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
