botched: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, sometimes slightly humorous, often critical.
Quick answer
What does “botched” mean?
Done or carried out badly or clumsily.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Done or carried out badly or clumsily; spoiled through poor workmanship or execution.
Often implies a failed or disastrous attempt to repair, fix, or perform a task, resulting in a mess that may be irreversible.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term equally.
Connotations
Same negative connotation of incompetence in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar frequency; a common informal term.
Grammar
How to Use “botched” in a Sentence
botched + [noun]a botched + [noun]badly botchedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “botched” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The plumber completely botched the installation of the new boiler.
- I'm afraid I've botched the recipe for the Victoria sponge.
American English
- The contractor botched the kitchen remodel.
- She botched her lines during the live broadcast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticise failed projects, product launches, or negotiations (e.g., 'the botched merger cost millions').
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in critiques of historical events or policy implementations.
Everyday
Common for describing DIY failures, cooking disasters, or simple mistakes.
Technical
Used in fields like medicine ('botched procedure'), law ('botched trial'), or IT ('botched update').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “botched”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “botched”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “botched”
- Using 'botched' to describe natural disasters (e.g., 'a botched earthquake' – incorrect). Using it as a main verb without an object ('He botched' is incomplete; must be 'He botched the repair').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal and critical. In formal writing, synonyms like 'mishandled', 'poorly executed', or 'unsuccessful' are often preferred.
Yes, the verb is 'to botch' (e.g., 'He botched the job'). However, the adjective 'botched' is more commonly used.
'Failed' is neutral, indicating lack of success. 'Botched' is stronger and evaluative, implying the failure was due to clumsiness, incompetence, or poor execution.
The related noun is 'botch' (meaning a clumsy or poor piece of work), as in 'He made a real botch of it.' The phrase 'a botch job' is also common.
Done or carried out badly or clumsily.
Botched: in British English it is pronounced /bɒtʃt/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːtʃt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A botch job”
- “Make a botch of something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUTCHER trying to do delicate surgery – it would be BOTCHED.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPAIR/CRECATION IS CRAFTSMANSHIP; a botched job is failed craftsmanship.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'botched' LEAST appropriate?