blunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "blunder" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an embarrassing mistake or a careless action. For example: "John's blunder cost him his promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A more recent account of government failures agrees, calling it "the blunder to end all blunders".

The Guardian - Opinion

For connoisseurs of such cock-ups, the misattribution will perhaps be most reminiscent of East Germany's 1956 blunder in issuing a Robert Schumann stamp with a score in the background that happened to be by Schubert.

The Guardian - Books

The Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths was baffled by the blunder he claims cost his side a place in the Scottish Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

The blunder in effect killed off his already faltering campaign.

The Guardian

By giving in to an alliance of the right and the rich, George Osborne has made a basic blunder that sends a missile into six years of Tory modernisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The British prime minister compounded the blunder with a "Sieg heil" to the German dictator and returned to Britain declaring peace in our time.

The Guardian

He also accused ministers of recently backtracking on a pledge to require hospitals to always tell a patient or relatives when a blunder occurs, which could let mistakes be covered up.

The Guardian

A serious blunder by unions, managements or politicians could make an election impact.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cameron's blunder (if that is what it was) makes it easier, not harder for such would-be plotters.

The Guardian

At least one local official, however, blamed Nigeria, putting the death toll at 37. "At first we thought it was a blunder by Chad or Niger's army, but now we suspect the Nigerian army is responsible," said an elected official from Bosso in Niger, which is about six miles from Abadam.

The Guardian

But for all the chancellor's gung-ho bravura, he was galloping backwards in full retreat from his autumn statement blunder revealing he would take the state back to the 1930s – austerity beyond anything ever tried.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blunder", consider the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the gravity of the mistake. It is stronger than a simple "mistake" but less harsh than "catastrophe".

Common error

Avoid using "blunder" to describe trivial errors. Reserve it for significant mistakes that have noticeable consequences; otherwise, use a milder term like "mistake" or "slip-up".

Linguistic Context

The word "blunder" functions primarily as a noun to denote a significant or clumsy mistake. It can also serve as a verb, signifying the act of making such a mistake. Ludwig provides examples of its usage across various contexts, affirming its versatility in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blunder" is a versatile word, functioning as both a noun and a verb, to describe a significant or clumsy mistake. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While its register is generally neutral, it's best reserved for situations where the mistake is more than just a simple error. Consider alternatives like "mistake" or "gaffe" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistake

A general term for an incorrect action or judgment.

error

Suggests a deviation from accuracy or correctness.

gaffe

Implies a social faux pas or a remark that causes embarrassment.

slip-up

Suggests a minor, often unintentional mistake.

oversight

Indicates a failure to notice or consider something.

faux pas

Highlights a social blunder or breach of etiquette.

miscalculation

Emphasizes an error in planning or estimation.

lapse

Refers to a temporary failure of judgment or concentration.

screw-up

An informal term for a significant mistake or failure.

inadvertence

Implies a lack of attention or care, resulting in an error.

FAQs

How can I use "blunder" in a sentence?

You can use "blunder" as a noun, referring to a clumsy mistake, as in, "The politician's speech was a major blunder". You can also use it as a verb, meaning to make a clumsy mistake, as in, "He blundered during the negotiation".

What are some alternatives to "blunder"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "mistake", "error", "gaffe", or "oversight".

Is "blunder" formal or informal?

"Blunder" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, avoid using it in extremely formal or technical writing, where more precise terms might be preferred.

What's the difference between "blunder" and "mistake"?

While both refer to errors, "blunder" typically implies a more significant, clumsy, or embarrassing mistake than a simple "mistake".