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

• 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

When people think of popular outdoor destinations in Asia, places like Thailand's beaches and jungles, Japan's Kumano Kodo, or Bhutan's rugged mountains may come to mind. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025

Off-camera, the character has a drug problem, which isn’t helped by fighting for his life in the Southeast Asian jungle. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Ten Little Dinos This four-minute video takes kids deep into the prehistoric jungle where ten colorful eggs are cozy in their nest. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 5 Aug. 2025

There's nothing ground-breaking about Freelance, but summer movie season is the perfect time to turn your brain off and watch some John Cena jungle shenanigans. —PC Magazine, 1 Aug. 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