juggle

play

verb jug·gle \ˈjə-gəl\

Definition of juggle

;

play \ˈjə-g(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb
1 : to perform the tricks of a juggler
2 : to engage in manipulation especially in order to achieve a desired end
transitive verb
1 : to handle or deal with usually several things (such as obligations) at one time so as to satisfy often competing requirements juggle the responsibilities of family life and full-time job — Jane S. Gould
2a : to practice deceit or trickery on : beguileb : to manipulate or rearrange especially in order to achieve a desired end juggle an account to hide a loss
3a : to toss in the manner of a jugglerb : to hold or balance precariously

He is learning to juggle.
He juggled four balls at once.
She somehow manages to juggle a dozen tasks at once.
It can be hard to juggle family responsibilities and the demands of a full-time job.
I'll have to juggle my schedule a bit to get this all to work out.

Middle English jogelen, from Anglo-French jugler, from Latin joculari to jest, joke, from joculus, diminutive of jocus joke

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

noun jug·gle

: an act or instance of juggling:a : a trick of magicb : a show of manual dexterityc : an act of manipulation especially to achieve a desired end

a temporary suspension of the gas tax was just a crowd-pleasing juggle that was not a long-term solution to the energy problem

1664

play

verb

: to keep several objects in motion in the air at the same time by repeatedly throwing and catching them
: to do (several things) at the same time
: to make changes to (something) in order to achieve a desired result