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Shambles: meaning, definitions and examples

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shambles

 

[ ˈʃæm.bəlz ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

disorder, chaos

Shambles refers to a state of complete disorder or disarray. It can also describe a situation that is confused or chaotic, impacting the organization and efficiency of a person or system.

Synonyms

chaos, disarray, disorder, mess

Examples of usage

  • The office was in shambles after the party.
  • His life turned into a shambles following the unexpected events.
  • The project ended up in shambles due to poor planning.
Context #2 | Verb

to mess up

To shamble means to move in a slow and awkward way, often implying a sense of tiredness or lack of coordination.

Synonyms

lumber, shuffle, stagger

Examples of usage

  • He shamblingly walked towards the exit.
  • The old man shambled down the street.
  • The cat shambling around looked very lazy.

Translations

Translations of the word "shambles" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confusão

🇮🇳 गड़बड़ी

🇩🇪 Durcheinander

🇮🇩 kekacauan

🇺🇦 безлад

🇵🇱 bałagan

🇯🇵 混乱

🇫🇷 désordre

🇪🇸 desorden

🇹🇷 kargaşa

🇰🇷 혼란

🇸🇦 فوضى

🇨🇿 zmatek

🇸🇰 zmätok

🇨🇳 混乱

🇸🇮 nered

🇮🇸 ringulreið

🇰🇿 бейберекет

🇬🇪 არეულობა

🇦🇿 qarışıqlıq

🇲🇽 desorden

Word origin

The word 'shambles' originates from Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'sceamol,' which meant a 'stool' or 'bench.' In the 15th century, it evolved to describe a butcher's shop, as the stalls were often disorganized and messy. The term eventually transitioned to describe any situation that is disordered or in chaos. Its usage expanded in the 19th century to encompass various forms of disorder, both physical and metaphorical, reflecting the transformation in how society perceived chaos and disarray. Today, 'shambles' can refer to anything from a messy room to a chaotic situation, embodying a strong sense of disorganization.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,912, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.