Blunders can occur in many areas of life, from personal relationships to professional environments, and they are often a result of poor judgment, lack of information, or carelessness. While blunders are typically viewed negatively, they can also serve as learning opportunities, allowing individuals to reflect on their actions and grow from their mistakes. In competitive contexts like sports, a blunder can be particularly impactful, sometimes determining the outcome of a game or competition. The term is also frequently used in politics, where a single blunder can damage a politician's reputation or career.
Word 'blunder' in Other Languages
- blunder in Assamese অসমীয়া
- blunder in Bengali বাংলা
- blunder in Bodo बड़ो
- blunder in Dogri डोगरी
- blunder in English
- blunder in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- blunder in Hindi हिन्दी
- blunder in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- blunder in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- blunder in Konkani कोंकणी
- blunder in Maithili মৈথিলী
- blunder in Malayalam മലയാളം
- blunder in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- blunder in Marathi मराठी
- blunder in Nepali नेपाली
- blunder in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- blunder in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- blunder in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- blunder in Santali
- blunder in Sindhi سنڌي
- blunder in Tamil தமிழ்
- blunder in Telugu తెలుగు
- blunder in Urdu اُردُو
Blunder
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/ˈblʌndər/
Definitions
- As a noun: A serious mistake, especially one caused by ignorance or confusion.
- As a verb: To make a serious mistake or misjudgment.
Usage Examples
- He made a blunder during the presentation that cost him the job.
- She blundered into the wrong room and embarrassed herself.
- The team’s blunder led to a major setback in the project.
Etymology
Derived from the Middle English "blundren," meaning to stumble or make a mistake, with possible connections to Old Norse "blundra," meaning to shut the eyes or be confused.
Synonyms
Mistake, error, slip, fault, misstep, oversight, gaffe, blip.
Antonyms
Success, achievement, accuracy, precision, correctness, triumph.
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | ग़लती | Ghalti |
| Spanish | Metedura de pata | Me-te-du-ra de pa-ta |
| French | Faute | Faut |
| German | Fehler | Fey-ler |
| Chinese | 失误 | Shī wù |
| Arabic | خطأ | Khata |
| Russian | Ошибка | Oshibka |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "blunder" is generally consistent, though certain English dialects might stress different syllables. For instance, in American English, there might be a stronger emphasis on the first syllable, whereas in British English, the stress could be more balanced across the word.
Historical Usage
The word "blunder" has been in use since the late 14th century, often associated with stumbling or making a misjudgment. Its usage as a term for a significant mistake became more common in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it has since been used to describe both minor and major errors, especially in public or professional settings.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, a blunder is often seen as a source of embarrassment, especially in formal situations such as business meetings or public speaking. However, blunders can also be seen in a more humorous light in informal settings, with the word sometimes used in a more playful context. The phrase "blundering fool" may be used humorously or disparagingly, depending on the situation.