pell-mell

or pell·mell

[ pel-mel ]

/ ˈpɛlˈmɛl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for pell-mell on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in disorderly, headlong haste; in a recklessly hurried manner.

in a confused or jumbled mass, crowd, manner, etc.: The crowd rushed pell-mell into the store when the doors opened.

adjective

indiscriminate; disorderly; confused: a pell-mell dash after someone.

overhasty or precipitate; rash:pell-mell spending.

noun

a confused or jumbled mass, crowd, etc.

disorderly, headlong haste.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pell-mell

1570–80; <Middle French pelemele,Old French pesle mesle, rhyming compound based on mesler to mix. See meddle

Words nearby pell-mell

Pelletier, pelletize, pellicle, pellicle mirror, pellitory, pell-mell, pellucid, pellum, Pelly, Pelmanism, pelmeny

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use pell-mell in a sentence

Knocking—or praising—schools for their share of Pell Grant recipients really is rearranging the deck chairs here.
When Diversity Fails the Poor|Jedediah Purdy|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Our ambition is to become something of a model in financial management rather than a cause for occasional scandal,” Pell said.
Vatican Bank: No More Secret Accounts For Politicians And “Bad Families”|Barbie Latza Nadeau|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How much time Pell and Kwan have spent actually living in Rhode Island (they have a house in Providence) has come into question.
Figure Skater Michelle Kwan Chases Gold in Rhode Island’s Gubernatorial Race|Nicholas McCarvel|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We might have to wait and do further lessons after the election,” Pell says lightheartedly, himself a beginner.
Figure Skater Michelle Kwan Chases Gold in Rhode Island’s Gubernatorial Race|Nicholas McCarvel|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Or perhaps she and Pell could try the figure skating pairs event in Pyeongchang in 2018?
Figure Skater Michelle Kwan Chases Gold in Rhode Island’s Gubernatorial Race|Nicholas McCarvel|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We sat down pell-mell, anywhere, I next to Liszt, who kept putting things on my plate.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
“I have heard it remarked that she was a very fine woman, Mr. Weller,” said Pell in a sympathising manner.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Mrs. Pell was a very elegant and accomplished woman; her manners were the theme of universal admiration in our neighbourhood.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
The scene beggars description; bags, bundles, bales, boxes are pitched out pell-mell.
Round the Wonderful World|G. E. Mitton
Sobber was with a chum named Nick Pell, and both eyed Dick in a calculating manner which was highly offensive.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

British Dictionary definitions for pell-mell

pell-mell

/ (ˈpɛlˈmɛl) /

adverb

in a confused headlong rushthe hounds ran pell-mell into the yard

in a disorderly mannerthe things were piled pell-mell in the room

adjective

disordered; tumultuousa pell-mell rush for the exit

noun

disorder; confusion

Word Origin for pell-mell

C16: from Old French pesle-mesle, jingle based on mesler to meddle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for pell-mell

pell-mell

In a confused, disorderly manner: “After the assembly, the students ran pell-mell from the auditorium.”

pell-mell

or pell·mell

Origin of pell-mell

Words nearby pell-mell

Words related to pell-mell

How to use pell-mell in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pell-mell

Word Origin for pell-mell

Cultural definitions for pell-mell