jumble

[ juhm-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, jum·bled, jum·bling.

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.

verb (used without object)

, jum·bled, jum·bling.

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

/ ˈdʒʌmbəl /

verb

1. to mingle (objects, papers, etc) in a state of disorder
2. tr; usually passive to remember in a confused form; muddle

noun

1. a disordered mass, state, etc
2. articles donated for a jumble sale
3. Also calledjumbal a small thin cake, usually ring-shaped

Derived Forms

• ˈjumbly, adjective
• ˈjumbler, noun

Other Words From

• jum·ble·ment noun
• jum·bler noun
• jum·bling·ly adverb
• un·jum·bled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumble¹

1520–30; perhaps blend of joll to bump (now dial.) and tumble

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumble¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

They’d found a piece of fabric in a jumble sale together.

From Los Angeles Times

Huge metal containers – broken free from their articulated lorries – rested at unfathomable angles amid a jumble of cars, crumpled furniture and treacherous mud.

From BBC

Many voters were noticing a decline as Biden, now 81, walked more stiffly and appeared to jumble his words.

From Los Angeles Times

They were stacked in teetering towers, jumbled in messy piles.

From Los Angeles Times

It's one thing to back a jumbled, messy figurehead when your principal goal is sticking it to the woke liberals.

From Salon

Related Words

• assortment
• mishmash
• pastiche
• patchwork
• tangle