juggle

[ juhg-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, jug·gled, jug·gling.

1. to keep (several objects, as balls, plates, tenpins, or knives) in continuous motion in the air simultaneously by tossing and catching.
2. to hold, catch, carry, or balance precariously; almost drop and then catch hold again:

   The center fielder juggled the ball but finally made the catch.

3. to alter or manipulate in order to deceive, as by subterfuge or trickery:

   to juggle the business accounts; to juggle the facts.

4. to manage or alternate the requirements of (two or more tasks, responsibilities, activities, etc.) so as to handle each adequately:

   to juggle the obligations of job and school.

verb (used without object)

, jug·gled, jug·gling.

1. to perform feats of manual or bodily dexterity, as tossing up and keeping in continuous motion a number of balls, plates, knives, etc.
2. to use artifice or trickery.

noun

1. the act or fact of juggling.

juggle

/ ˈdʒʌɡəl /

verb

1. to throw and catch (several objects) continuously so that most are in the air all the time, as an entertainment
2. to arrange or manipulate (facts, figures, etc) so as to give a false or misleading picture
3. tr to keep (several activities) in progress, esp with difficulty

noun

1. an act of juggling

Derived Forms

• ˈjugglery, noun

Other Words From

• juggling·ly adverb
• outjuggle verb (used with object) outjuggled outjuggling
• un·juggled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of juggle¹

1350–1400; Middle English jog ( e ) len < Old French jogler to serve as buffoon or jester < Late Latin joculāre to joke (replacing Latin joculārī ), equivalent to Latin jocul ( us ) ( joc ( us ) joke + -ulus -ule ) + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of juggle¹

C14: from Old French jogler to perform as a jester, from Latin joculārī to jest, from jocus a jest

Example Sentences

We are approaching the first time of the season when managers have to juggle their first-team squads as the fixtures start to pile up.

From BBC

After practicing for several weeks, Mr. Rush managed to juggle blindfolded for 6 minutes and 34 seconds.

From NewsForKids.net

Sangeeta, who goes by one name, is overwhelmed every day as she juggles work, household chores and childcare while enduring severe hot flashes, fatigue, insomnia, backache and abdominal pain.

From BBC

He juggled spending time with them by pretending to work shifts.

From BBC

She explained how she had juggled her job as a bartender to earn "whatever money she could" and said she was "learning to live again".

From BBC

Related Words

• alter
• shuffle