hugger-mugger

1 of 2

noun

hug·​ger-mug·​ger ˈhə-gər-ˌmə-gər 

1

: secrecy

2

: confusion, muddle

hugger-mugger

2 of 2

adjective

1

: secret

2

: of a confused or disorderly nature : jumbled

hugger-mugger adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• chaotic
• cluttered
• confused
• disarranged
• disarrayed
• disheveled
• dishevelled
• disordered
• disorderly
• higgledy-piggledy
• jumbled
• littered
• messed
• messy
• muddled
• mussed
• mussy
• pell-mell
• rumpled
• sloppy
• topsy-turvy
• tousled
• tumbled
• unkempt
• untidy
• upside-down

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hugger-mugger

noun

hug·​ger-mug·​ger

ˈhəg-ər-ˌməg-ər

1

: secrecy sense 2

2

: a disorderly jumble

hugger-mugger adjective