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 of jungle

• 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

This world-class museum and sculpture park in the jungle now has a hotel that’s a work of art in its own right. —William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

The 60-mile section of jungle remains a roadless expanse between South and Central America. —Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025

That’s because when high-altitude clouds of sulfur dioxide eventually form sulfuric acid, the resulting acid rain will help destroy the forests, jungles, crops, tigers, penguins, and reindeer that SAI was supposed to protect. —New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025

Valletta stunned in the iconic green jungle-print dress with a deep plunging neckline and an extra-high slit, which Jennifer Lopez later wore in 2000. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 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