muff /mʌf/noun 11verb 2forms 3phrases 1 noun11 •A piece of fur or cloth, usually open at both ends, used to keep the hands warm. •(slang) An error, a mistake; a failure to hold a ball when once in the hands. •(slang, vulgar) The vulva or vagina; pubic hair around it. •A short hollow cylinder surrounding an object such as a pipe. •(slang, vulgar) A woman or girl. •(informal) A fool, a stupid or poor-spirited person.Can you fancy that such an old creature (an old muff, as you call him, you wicked, satirical man!) could ever make en impression on my heart? — 1860 •The feathers sticking out from both sides of the face under the beak of some birds. •(slang) A muffin.Skinny lattes and a couple of blueberry muffs. — 2010 •A blown cylinder of glass which is afterward flattened out to make a sheet. •(slang, rare) A term of endearment.“They’re^([sic]) ARE thinking how sexy you look, Muff”. She heard it as plain as day. She turned, half expecting to see her Jim grinning at her. […] “Oh James!” Marsha smiled, […] — 1996 •A bird, the whitethroat. verb2 •To drop or mishandle (the ball, a catch etc.); to play badly. •To mishandle; to bungle.But then, supposing this was the real sign? … They had muffed three already; they daren’t muff the fourth. — 1953 formsmuffed · muffing · muffs Phrases with muff muff upTo mess up; to botch
