muff

/mʌf/ (bre, ipa) · /mʌf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈməf/ (ame, mw)

muff — noun

  • muffsingular
  • muffsplural

1. a soft fur or cloth hand cover that you slide both hands into for warmth in cold

1.名詞C1
釋義

a soft fur or cloth hand cover that you slide both hands into for warmth in cold weather.

例句

At the winter market, Élise tucked both hands into her fur muff.

pattern: tuck both hands into a muff

The actress carried a velvet muff with her long evening coat.

common modifier: velvet muff

同義詞
  • hand warmer

    broader term; can also mean a small heated packet, not only a cloth tube

  • fur muff

    more specific; highlights the traditional fur material

文法句型

a fur muff

put your hands in a muff

用法筆記

Now mostly seen in historical writing, theatre costumes, or vintage fashion. Modern speakers usually say gloves or mittens for everyday winter wear.

常見錯誤

❌I need a muff for riding my scooter in winter.
✅I need gloves for riding my scooter in winter.
💡a muff is an old-style tube for both hands, not ordinary handwear.

2. an error in a game where a player drops the ball or carries out a play badly.

2.名詞C1
釋義

an error in a game where a player drops the ball or carries out a play badly.

例句

The goalkeeper's late muff let the winning goal roll in.

sports noun: a muff can lead to a goal

One muff at shortstop turned an easy out into trouble.

pattern: one muff at [position]

同義詞
  • error

    broader and neutral; not tied to ball games

  • fumble

    often focuses more specifically on failing to hold the ball cleanly

  • blunder

    stronger word for a serious mistake; used more widely than sports alone

文法句型

a muff on a fly ball

a costly muff

用法筆記

Mostly used in sports reports and commentary. In general situations, speakers usually say mistake, error, or blunder instead.

常見錯誤

❌There was a muff in the email subject line.
✅There was a typo in the email subject line.
💡outside sports, 'muff' usually sounds wrong or old-fashioned.

muff — verb