juggle

verb jug·gle \ ˈjə-gəl \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: juggle in a Sentence

Definition of juggle

juggled; juggling 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

2 a : to practice deceit or trickery on : beguile

b : to manipulate or rearrange especially in order to achieve a desired end

juggle an account to hide a loss

3 a : to toss in the manner of a juggler

b : to hold or balance precariously

See juggle defined for English-language learners

See juggle defined for kids

Examples of juggle in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of juggle from the Web

Alexandra Shipp has worn many hats, some more fashionable than others, while juggling her acting gigs and life in Los Angeles.

— lindzi scharf, latimes.com, "Alexandra Shipp keeps looking at the future while continuing to make a name for herself in Hollywood," 7 June 2018
After announcing the pregnancy in January, Ardern dismissed suggestions that running the country while juggling life with a newborn would be too much to handle.

— euan mckirdy, CNN, "New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern announces birth plans," 5 June 2018
And there’s the logistical element of doing all this while juggling child care for 4-year-old Madison and 1-year-old Audrey.

— larry stone, The Seattle Times, "Husky legend Danielle Lawrie pitching again with hopes of making the 2020 Olympics," 12 May 2018
His time, while juggling three lacrosse balls: four minutes and 43.2 seconds.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Lexicon," 10 May 2018
Some are struggling to raise children while juggling multiple jobs.

— vinny vella, Courant Community, "Vinny Vella: After Nearly A Year Of Waiting, Clay Arsenal Tenants Need Action," 28 Mar. 2018
While juggling her salon, Graceful Hands Beauty Salon, established in 2005, a newfound career as a financial aid representative at her alma mater, and her family, more life challenges were thrown her way.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "TSTC recruiter serves as inspiration to students," 20 Mar. 2018
When Harry announced their new album while juggling a banana.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "12 Times Harry Styles Interacted With Bananas in the Most Adorable Way Possible," 25 June 2015
During the eight weeks of summer readings, the library will offer programs such as craft workshops, music shows, a comedy and juggling show, reptiles and amphibians, a puppet show and hip hop dance and karate workshop.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'juggle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of juggle

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

juggle Synonyms

Phrases

do a number on, lead one down the garden path (also lead one up the garden path), pull one's leg, pull the wool over one's eyes;

juggle

noun

Definition of juggle

: an act or instance of juggling:

a : a trick of magic

b : a show of manual dexterity

c : an act of manipulation especially to achieve a desired end

Examples of juggle in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of juggle from the Web

Halsema will be taking the helm as the Dutch capital juggles the conflicting needs of locals and outsiders.

— Fortune, "Amsterdam Has Had a Mayor for Centuries. Femke Halsema Is About to Become Its First Female One," 28 June 2018
Halsema will be taking the helm as the Dutch capital juggles the conflicting needs of locals and outsiders.

— joost akkermans, BostonGlobe.com, "Amsterdam is about to get its first female mayor," 28 June 2018
Hers is the standard working-mom juggle, only supersized.

— shannon kelley, Vogue, "Aly Wagner Is the First-Ever Woman Announcing the World Cup for the U.S. Broadcast, And She’s Killing It," 28 June 2018
Thus, Anthem is in the precarious position of making promises about an engaging combination of combat, plot, and endgame progression—a juggle that the Destiny series has fumbled time and time again.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "EA at E3: BioWare confirms Anthem in Feb 2019, Madden returns to PC," 9 June 2018
Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts dresses as a circus ringmaster and juggles, and he's joined by manager Joe Maddon and players at Bricks and Ivy gala Wednesday, April 18, 2019.

— phil thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs raise $1.8 million at charity night ... led by ringmaster Tom Ricketts," 19 Apr. 2018
Watch a chef juggle, slice and dice veggies before tabletop grilling.

— mary bergin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Beyond Chicago: 5 other Illinois cities to visit during this bicentennial year," 13 Apr. 2018
Like many working mothers in Italy, Francesca Roncetti constructed her life around a frantic, daily juggle that became more frenzied after her second child was born.

— gaia pianigiani, New York Times, "Women Could Decide Italy’s Election, but They Feel Invisible," 3 Mar. 2018
Talent show tryouts - Calling all singers, dancers, magicians, juggles, bands and various other talented K-12 students.

— joanne berger dumound/special to cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "River Road haunt is fun for all ages: Olmsted Dates and Data," 23 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of juggle

1664

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

JUGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

juggle

verb

Definition of juggle for English Language Learners

: 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