Duffer

/ˈdʌfər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A person who is incompetent or unable to do something well.
Despite his enthusiasm, John turned out to be a bit of a duffer when it came to playing tennis.
A clumsy or stupid person.
She called him a duffer for accidentally spilling coffee all over his shirt.
A person who is inexperienced or unskilled in a particular field or activity.
The new recruit was a duffer in the kitchen, unable to boil an egg properly.

Etymology

Origin unknown, possibly from the 19th-century British slang.

Common Phrases and Expressions

duffer's luck
Refers to being lucky despite being incompetent.

Related Words

incompetent
Lacking the skills or abilities to perform effectively.
inept
Having or showing no skill; clumsy.

Slang Meanings

An unskilled or clumsy person.
That guy's such a duffer at fixing things, he just made it worse.
A person who generally lacks common sense.
She's a bit of a duffer when it comes to handling finances.