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

In 2006, a business jet flown by two Americans collided with a Gol Airlines Boeing 737-800 at 37,000 feet over the Amazon jungle in Brazil, according to investigators. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

After so many years in the DC universe, Zack Snyder comes back down to earth again with a violent but surprisingly human action thriller set in the jungles of an unidentified Latin American country. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

The film follows an ex-DEA agent out for revenge in the South American jungle. — John Ross, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

Silvestre Nosara is a sponsor of the nonprofit Costas Verdes which has been instrumental in restoring the jungle in and around the beaches of Nosara. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

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