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

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

The dragon puffed a little cloud of smoke and sent Jeremy a confused jumble of colors.

From Literature

Their thoughts are jumbled, falling over one another: his fault . . . how could he .

From Literature

That’s something code makers figured out centuries ago—remove the spaces between words, and the message looks jumbled.

From Literature

Related Words

• assortment
• mishmash
• pastiche
• patchwork
• tangle