1 B1 neutral
To put objects into a disorganized, messy state so that things are hard to find or separate.
"Someone has jumbled up all the files and now I can't find anything."
separable
jumble up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To put things or ideas into a disordered, confused state.
In plain English
To mix things up so they are messy and hard to find or understand.
What does "jumble up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To confuse or scramble words, letters, or ideas so that they are difficult to understand.
"The puzzle shows a jumbled-up word and you have to guess what it is."
separable
3 B2 neutral
To confuse someone's thoughts or feelings.
"The unexpected news left her feelings all jumbled up."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To throw things up in disorder — partially transparent.
Actually means
To mix things up so they are messy and hard to find or understand.
Usage tip
Used both physically (papers, clothes, files) and figuratively (thoughts, memories, words). Common in British English. The passive form 'jumbled up' is very frequent ('the letters were all jumbled up'). Also used as a noun: 'a jumble'.
Words that pair with "jumble up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
letters words thoughts papers clothes memories files
How to conjugate "jumble up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
jumble up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
jumbles up
he/she/it
Past simple
jumbled up
yesterday
Past participle
jumbled up
have + pp
-ing form
jumbling up
continuous
Hear "jumble up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "jumble up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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