jumble

American  

[juhm-buhl] / ˈdʒʌm bəl /

verb (used with object)

jumbled, jumbling

1. to mix in a confused mass; put or throw together without order.

   You've jumbled up all the cards.

   Antonyms:

   separate

2. to confuse mentally; muddle.

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verb (used without object)

jumbled, jumbling

1. to be mixed together in a disorderly heap or mass.

2. to meet or come together confusedly.

noun

1. a mixed or disordered heap or mass.

   a jumble of paper clips, rubber bands, and string.

2. a confused mixture; medley.

3. a state of confusion or disorder.

   Synonyms:

   chaos, muddle, mess, gallimaufry, farrago, hodgepodge

   Antonyms:

   order

4. Also jumbal a small, round, flat cake or cookie with a hole in the middle.

jumble British  

/ ˈdʒʌmbəl /

verb

1. to mingle (objects, papers, etc) in a state of disorder

2. (tr; usually passive) to remember in a confused form; muddle

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noun

1. a disordered mass, state, etc

2. articles donated for a jumble sale

3. Also called: jumbal.  a small thin cake, usually ring-shaped

Other Word Forms

• jumblement noun
• jumbler noun
• jumblingly adverb
• jumbly adjective
• unjumbled adjective

Etymology

Origin of jumble

1520–30; perhaps blend of joll to bump (now dial.) and tumble

Example Sentences

The houses were stacked in jumbled clusters up the mountainside, some so lopsided they looked like they might slide right down.

From Literature

Then a jumble of emails from colleagues began pouring in.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fight and the fleeing had happened so fast, all he had were jumbled images in his head.

From Literature

I guess I’m not totally alone, though I doubt my little cousin can solve the jumble of fears clogging up my brain.

From Literature

His thoughts were a jumble, but he tried to remember when Glory said she went to live with her aunt.

From Literature

Related Words

• assortment
• mishmash
• pastiche
• patchwork
• tangle