garble
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈɡɑːr.bəl/
KK: /ˈɡɑːr.bəl/
noun
Definition
The act of mixing up or confusing information, making it unclear or difficult to understand.
Example
The garble in the message made it hard to know what was really happening.
Conversation
Did you hear that message? It was such a garble I couldn't understand anything.
Yeah, it sounded like they mixed up all the words!
I know, right? It's frustrating when communication is just a garble.
Totally! They really need to speak more clearly.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
muddle
jumble
confusion
Antonyms
clarity
order
coherence
transitive verb
Definition
To mix up or distort information so that it becomes confusing or unclear.
Example
He tended to garble his words when he was nervous.
Tense Forms
Past: garbled
Past Participle: garbled
Conversation
Did you hear the message he sent?
Yeah, but it was so mixed up that I couldn't understand it.
I think he might have garbled it somehow.
Root Explanation
Garble originates from the Old French word 'garbeler', meaning to sift or to sort. The term originally referred to the act of sorting through something, often leading to confusion or distortion in the process.
Memory Tip
Think of the Old French word for sorting ('garbeler') to remember that 'garble' means to mix up or distort information.
Visually Confused Words
garle
gable
engarble
warble
marble
jarble
gorble
gargle