blunder
B2Formal and informal; more common in writing than speech.
Definition
Meaning
A stupid or careless mistake.
A significant, often embarrassing error resulting from a lack of care, thought, or judgement, potentially with serious consequences.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies an error of judgement rather than a minor slip; carries a sense of clumsiness, stupidity, or foolishness. Often used for mistakes with visible, negative outcomes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British English in certain formal/political contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a foolish, avoidable, and often public mistake. In British political journalism, 'gaffe' might be used for a verbal slip, while 'blunder' implies a more strategic misstep.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects. The verb form may be slightly more literary in contemporary American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
blunder into (e.g., He blundered into the wrong room.)blunder about/around (e.g., She was blundering about in the dark.)blunder on (e.g., They decided to blunder on with the flawed plan.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make a blunder of the first order”
- “blunder one's way through something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to significant strategic, financial, or operational mistakes, e.g., a marketing blunder.
Academic
Used to describe serious methodological or interpretative errors in research.
Everyday
Used for major social, domestic, or practical mistakes, often with humorous or self-deprecating tone.
Technical
Less common. Could be used in computing/gaming for a major user or AI error.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government blundered badly in handling the crisis.
- He blundered through the presentation, forgetting key data.
American English
- The quarterback blundered by throwing into double coverage.
- Without a map, we just blundered around the forest.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Oh no, I made a blunder! I put salt in my tea!
- Sending the email to the wrong client was a serious blunder.
- The company's blunder cost them millions in lost revenue and damaged their reputation.
- Historians agree that the general's tactical blunder turned a winnable battle into a catastrophic defeat.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BLUNDERbuss (an old, clumsy gun) – a 'blunder' is a clumsy, noisy mistake that can cause damage.
Conceptual Metaphor
MISTAKES ARE CLUMSY MOVEMENTS / MISTAKES ARE FALLS (e.g., 'stumble into an error', 'trip up').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate as "глупость" (foolishness) – it's a specific mistake, not the abstract quality. "Ошибка" is closer, but "blunder" implies greater severity and foolishness. "Прокол" (slang) or "грубая ошибка" are better equivalents.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for small, insignificant mistakes (e.g., 'I made a blunder on my shopping list'). Overusing the verb form in casual conversation.
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is the word 'blunder' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often appears in formal writing about politics, business, or history to describe significant errors.
A 'blunder' is a specific type of mistake—it's particularly stupid, careless, or obvious, often with significant negative consequences. All blunders are mistakes, but not all mistakes are blunders.
Yes. As a verb, it means to make a blunder (e.g., 'He blundered badly'), or to move or act clumsily or stupidly (e.g., 'She blundered into the meeting late').
Yes, it is always pejorative, describing an error that should have been avoided. It can be used humorously or mildly for minor social mistakes, but the core meaning is negative.
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