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Unscramble Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unscramble

[ʌnˈskræmbəl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

daily life

To make intelligible; to restore to order; to disentangle.

Synonyms

decipher, decode, untangle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unscramble

Used when rearranging mixed up or jumbled letters or words into a meaningful order.

  • Can you unscramble these letters to form a word?
  • I had to unscramble the password to get into the account.
decode

Commonly used in the context of converting a coded message into an understandable form, especially within the realms of technology and communication.

  • The spy was able to decode the secret transmission.
  • I need software to decode this file format.
decipher

Often used when interpreting or solving something complex or obscure, such as a code or difficult handwriting.

  • It took hours to decipher the ancient manuscript.
  • Can you help me decipher this encrypted message?
untangle

Used when disentangling something that is physically or metaphorically knotted or complicated.

  • She spent all morning trying to untangle the necklace.
  • Let's untangle this problem step by step.

Examples of usage

  • Can you unscramble these letters to form a word?
  • She tried to unscramble the messy jumble of wires.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Unscrambling words is often used as an educational tool to help children learn spelling and vocabulary.
  • It can improve cognitive skills, as figuring out the correct arrangement requires critical thinking.

Games

  • Many popular word games, like Scrabble and Boggle, involve unscrambling letters to form valid words.
  • There are entire puzzle books and apps dedicated to unscrambling words for fun and competition.

Psychology

  • Unscrambling activities can be beneficial for developing problem-solving skills and enhancing memory.
  • Studies suggest that engaging in word puzzles helps maintain mental sharpness as we age.

Popular Culture

  • Unscramble has been featured in numerous trivia games and media, becoming a common reference for word challenges.
  • Movies and TV shows occasionally use the concept of unscrambling as a metaphor for solving complex problems.

Origin of 'unscramble'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Unscramble' comes from the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and 'scramble', which means to mix.
  • The word has been used in English since the early 20th century, reflecting a playful side of language.

The word 'unscramble' originates from the combination of 'un-' meaning 'reverse' or 'undo' and 'scramble' meaning 'mix up'. The term gained popularity in the context of solving puzzles or rearranging letters to form words.

See also: scramble, scrambled, scrambling, unscrambling.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,658, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.