Jumble

/ˈdʒʌmbəl/ verb

Definition

To mix up in a confused or untidy way; to move or act in a confused manner.

Etymology

Possibly imitative, first appearing in the 16th century. May relate to the sound of things being mixed or shaken together. The noun sense of a confused mixture followed shortly after.

Kelly Says

A 'jumble sale' (British) or 'rummage sale' (American) gets its name from the way donated items are literally jumbled together - the chaos is part of the treasure hunt appeal. The word perfectly captures both the physical act of mixing and the mental state of confusion.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.