verb
jumble
JUHM-buhl
Jumble (verb) means to mix things up in a disorganised or confused way. Example: “The papers got jumbled together in the move.”
verb
1
To mix things up in a disorganised or confused way.
"The papers got jumbled together in the move."
"Her thoughts were jumbled after the long flight."
noun
1
A confused mix of things.
"The drawer was a jumble of cables and old batteries."
How to use jumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mix things together carelessly, or a messy, disorganised pile or mix.
UK vs US
In British English, a "jumble sale" is a sale of used, donated goods — closer to what Americans call a "rummage sale."
Common pairings
jumbled mess
a jumble of ideas
jumble sale
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Word forms
- Plural
- jumbles
- Third person singular
- jumbles
- Past tense
- jumbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The papers got _____ together in the move.
Etymology
From Middle English jumbren, likely a variant of jumpren, related to jump — the sense shifted from "bounce around" to "mix up."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for jumble
See all rhymes for jumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “jumble” mean?
The word “jumble” means to mix things up in a disorganised or confused way. In plain terms, to mix things together carelessly, or a messy, disorganised pile or mix.
How do you pronounce “jumble”?
“Jumble” is pronounced JUHM-buhl (/ˈd͡ʒʌmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “jumble” in a sentence?
Here is “jumble” used in a sentence: “The papers got jumbled together in the move.”
What part of speech is “jumble”?
Depending on how it is used, “jumble” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “jumble” come from?
The word “jumble” comes from Middle English. From Middle English jumbren, likely a variant of jumpren, related to jump — the sense shifted from "bounce around" to "mix up.".
How many meanings does “jumble” have?
“Jumble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mix things up in a disorganised or confused way.
