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shambolic

American

[sham-bol-ik] / ʃæmˈbɒl ɪk /

adjective

Chiefly British Informal.

very disorganized; messy or confused.

I’ve had a shambolic year, the worst ever.

shambolic British

/ ʃæmˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

informal completely disorganized; chaotic

"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

Etymology

Origin of shambolic

First recorded in 1960–65; alteration of shambles (in the sense “a disordered place”); probably on the model of symbolic ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Public transport meanwhile is shambolic, with most commercial vehicles dilapidated and lacking working air conditioning.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

This whole big shambolic miracle machine only keeps rolling because we are an amazing thing—a democratic republic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

A calamitous 5-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday marked a new low point in Spurs' shambolic season.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Their campaign has been widely attacked as "shambolic".

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

No, but this buoyant comedy-drama combines all of his storytelling talents: the ensemble world-building of “Boogie Nights,” the shambolic misadventures of “Inherent Vice,” the domestic inquisitions of “Magnolia” and the probing psychology of “The Master.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023