verb

unscramble

un-SKRAM-buhl

Unscramble (verb) means to rearrange jumbled letters into a real word or phrase, usually to solve an anagram or word puzzle. Example: “Can you unscramble RAETH to make a five-letter word?”

verb

To rearrange jumbled letters into a real word or phrase, usually to solve an anagram or word puzzle.

"Can you unscramble RAETH to make a five-letter word?"

"The site will unscramble any set of letters and rank the answers by score."

To restore something confused or disordered to a clear, intelligible state.

"It took the accountant a week to unscramble the company's records."

"He rubbed his eyes and tried to unscramble his thoughts."

To convert an encrypted or deliberately distorted signal back into a readable or watchable form.

"The decoder unscrambles the broadcast for paying subscribers."

How to Use Unscramble

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo put mixed-up things back into the right order.

When to use it

Neutral; extremely common in word-game and puzzle contexts.

Memory tip

Unscramble takes a direct object — you unscramble something. It is not used on its own.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

scramble → decode → decipher →

Common pairings

unscramble the letters unscramble a word unscramble the mess unscramble the signal

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Can you _____ RAETH to make a five-letter word?

Etymology

From un- 'reverse the action of' plus scramble.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

decipher solve untangle sort out disentangle clarify straighten out decode decrypt

Antonyms

scramble jumble confuse muddle encrypt

Related Words

read clear code explain separate fix mix struggle

Rhymes for unscramble

amble gamble ramble preamble scramble

See all rhymes for unscramble →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between unscramble and decode?

Unscrambling means putting things back in the right order, as with mixed-up letters. Decoding means converting a message out of a system of substitutions or symbols. A jumbled word is unscrambled; a message in cipher is decoded.

Can you unscramble a scrambled egg?

No, and that is the joke behind the common idiom. Once an egg is scrambled the change is irreversible, which is why people say 'you can't unscramble an egg' about decisions that cannot be undone.

Is unscramble the same as solving an anagram?

Almost. Solving an anagram means finding a word that uses exactly the same letters, which is the most common reason people unscramble. But unscramble is broader — it also covers sentences, files, signals and any other jumbled thing.

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