jungle

noun

jun·​gle ˈjəŋ-gəl 

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 laws

—Bernard Taper

b

: a place of ruthless struggle for survival

the city is a jungle where no one is safe after dark

—Stuart 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

ˈjəŋ-gə(l)-ˌlīk 

adjective

jungly

ˈjəŋ-g(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

• jumble
• medley
• variety
• assortment
• collage
• menagerie
• clutter

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

Just these two technologies as examples demonstrate the vast improvements needed in the complex urban jungle for companies to engineer an avoidance strategy for both autonomous vehicles and a jury’s thrashing. —Steve Tengler, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Hike through the jungle with a guide, and meet distinct local groups (otherwise known as hill tribes) like the Akha, Karen, and Hmong—each unique with their own language, cultures, and traditions. —Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025

Punta Mita, Mexico’s Naviva Four Seasons Adults-Only Resort, sits on 48 acres of lush jungle, boasts 15 indoor-outdoor bungalow-style luxury camping tents, and is outfitted with air conditioning, a private plunge pool, an outdoor shower, 24-hour in-room dining, and stunning ocean views. —Essence, 30 Aug. 2025

Distinctive animation helps evoke the mystery of the jungle, which Indigenous believe is home to spirits – some of them malevolent. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing jungle

• asphalt jungle
• concrete jungle
• jungle cat
• jungle fowl
• jungle gym
• the law of the jungle

Rhymes for jungle

• antifungal
• fungal

Kids Definition

jungle

noun

jun·​gle ˈjəŋ-gəl 

1

: a thick tangled mass of tropical vegetation

2

: an area overgrown with jungle or other vegetation