Botch
/bɒtʃ/
verbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
To spoil something by clumsy or careless work.
/bɒtʃ/
verbnegativeBeginner
General
To do something badly or carelessly.
She botched the cake recipe and it turned out awful.
💡 Simply: To mess something up.
More Examples
2
The surgeon botched the operation, leading to complications.
How It's Used
General
"He botched the repair job, and it broke again immediately."
2
A badly executed piece of work.
/bɒtʃ/
nounnegativeBeginner
General
A piece of work that is badly done.
The whole project was a botch from start to finish.
💡 Simply: A mess-up.
More Examples
2
That repair is a real botch; it looks worse than before.
How It's Used
General
"The painting was a complete botch."
Tip:A 'botch' is a 'botched' result.
Originated in the 15th century, possibly from a Dutch word meaning 'patch' or 'repair poorly'.
Historically, 'botch' referred more directly to patching or mending, reflecting its Dutch origin. The current negative connotation developed later.
Memory tip
Think of a 'botched' job as a 'botched' up mess.
Practice
botchhbotche
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written