unscramble

American

[uhn-skram-buhl] / ʌnˈskræm bəl /

verb (used with object)

unscrambled, unscrambling

to bring out of a scrambled condition; reduce to order or intelligibility.
Also to make (a scrambled radio or telephonic message) comprehensible by systematically tuning the receiver to the frequencies used in transmission.

unscramble British

/ ʌnˈskræmbəl /

verb

to resolve from confusion or disorderliness
to restore (a scrambled message) to an intelligible form

"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

Other Word Forms

unscrambler noun

Etymology

Origin of unscramble

First recorded in 1915–20; un- ² + scramble

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.

And at this point, it may not be possible as a practical matter to unscramble the eggs.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2024

The researchers first worked to unscramble the signals from Mr. Oskam’s brain.

From NewsForKids.net • May 30, 2023

Only another briefcase with the same key on its paper tape could unscramble the message and convert the digits into a machine-like voice at the other end.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2022

“The people that win are the people who make the most attempts, the ones who are able to unscramble what it is that they’re asking faster than anybody else,” Davies said.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2022

My eyes could barely unscramble what they saw.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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