blunder
BLUN-der
/ˈbʌndər/
A stupid or careless mistake; to make a serious mistake or move blindly and clumsily.
A blunder is a significant mistake caused by a lack of care, foresight, or attention. As a verb, it can also describe physical movement made without being able to see clearly.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Middle English 'blundren' (to confuse, stir up, or wander blindly), which likely traces back to the Old Norse 'blundra', meaning 'to shut one's eyes' or 'to doze.' This explains why the word can mean both a mental mistake and the physical act of stumbling around as if blind.
Word relationships
- mistake: A mistake is a general term for any incorrect action, while a blunder is specifically a stupid, careless, or embarrassing mistake.
- error: Error is a more formal, technical, or scientific term, whereas blunder has a stronger tone of personal carelessness.
- accuracy: Accuracy is the quality of being correct, precise, and free from error.
- correction: A correction is a change made to rectify a mistake.
Commonly confused with
- plunder: Plunder means to steal goods violently, especially during war, while blunder is a mistake.
Word family
- blunderer (noun): A person who habitually makes blunders.
Collocations
- tactical blunder
- costly blunder
- blunder into
Example sentences
- "The general's decision to divide his forces proved to be a fatal blunder that cost him the battle." A history lesson on a military mistake.
Memory hook
'Blunder' sounds like 'Blind-er'. You make a blunder when you act as if you are blind. Blunder = Blind mistake.
When not to use
Do not use blunder for minor typos or spelling mistakes; it implies a larger error with real consequences.
Fun facts
- The famous poem 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' contains the line: 'Someone had blundered,' referring to a disastrous military order.
Explore more words
faux pas, imprudent, foolish, inattention, make a mistake, ignorant
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