jumble

[juhm-buhl]

verb (used with object)

jumbled, jumbling 

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)

jumbled, jumbling 

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 called: jumbal. a small thin cake, usually ring-shaped

Other Word Forms

• jumbly adjective
• jumbler noun
• jumblement noun
• jumblingly adverb
• unjumbled 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

The film is teeming with viral headlines — serious, frivolous or false — jumbled together on computer screens screaming for attention in the same all-caps font.

From Los Angeles Times

At the scene, surrounded by destruction and a jumble of personal items, one man held up a pack of nappies and asked: "Is this a weapon?"

From BBC

But the footage also revealed that Harris’ jumbled answer was clipped to its most cogent sentence.

From Los Angeles Times

He spent many months with the jumble of plaster, meticulously examining each piece to put together what he describes as "the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle".

From BBC

On Thursday, he suggested in his own jumbled way that perhaps deporting thousands of the state’s farm and hospitality workers might cause pain to his friends, their employers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assortment 
• mishmash 
• pastiche 
• patchwork 
• tangle