scramble

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈskræmbl̩/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form scramble

Third-person singular scrambles

Past tense scrambled

Past participle scrambled

Present participle scrambling

1. (intransitive) If you scramble, you climb quickly and with difficulty, often using your hands to help you.

   They scrambled like spiders up the rocks.

2. (intransitive) If you scramble to do something, you do quickly and with difficulty.

   She scrambled out of her car.

   He scrambled to get to his next class.

   New Yorkers scrambled to find other routes to work when the subway broke down.

3. (intransitive) If you scramble for something, you compete or fight with others to get it.

   When the new show was announced everyone scrambled for tickets.

4. (transitive) (food) If you scramble food, you mix and then cook it.

   He scrambled some eggs.

5. (transitive) If something is scrambled, it is mixed up.
   • Synonyms: muddle and confused

   Sometimes using email can scramble the message.

Noun

Singular scramble

Plural scrambles

1. A scramble is when someone is hurrying or doing something really fast.