jungle

noun

jun·​gle ˈjəŋ-gəl How to pronounce jungle (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: an impenetrable thicket or tangled mass of tropical vegetation
b
: a tract overgrown with thickets or masses of vegetation
2
a(1)
: a confused or disordered mass of objects : jumble
(2)
: something that baffles or frustrates by its tangled or complex character : maze
the jungle of housing lawsBernard Taper
b
: a place of ruthless struggle for survival
the city is a jungle where no one is safe after darkStuart Chase
3
: electronic dance music that combines elements of techno, reggae, and hip-hop and is marked especially by an extremely fast beat
4
: a hobo camp
junglelike adjective
jungly adjective

Examples of jungle in a Sentence

life in the corporate jungle It's hard to succeed in the business world. It's a jungle out there. a jungle of environmental laws
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The series will feature exclusive interviews with John Bender’s parents and an original score, set against sounds recorded from inside the Costa Rican jungle. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025 Zayu the Jaguar, from the jungles of southern Mexico, embodies the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of the country. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 Zayu hails from southern Mexico’s jungles and represents the nation’s rich heritage. Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025 All of it is gone and you are left in the jungle to figure it out. Terry Terrones, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jungle

Word History

Etymology

Hindi jaṅgal & Urdu jangal forest, from Sanskrit jaṅgala desert region

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of jungle was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jungle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jungle. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

jungle

noun
jun·​gle ˈjəŋ-gəl How to pronounce jungle (audio)
1
: a thick tangled mass of tropical vegetation
2
: an area overgrown with jungle or other vegetation

More from Merriam-Webster on jungle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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