Shambles definition
The definition of a shambles is a state or condition of complete disorder.
An example of a shambles is an extremely messy house after a teen has a huge party when his parents are away for the weekend.
noun
A slaughterhouse.
pluralNoun
(archaic) A meat market or butcher shop.
pluralNoun
A scene or condition of complete disorder or ruin.
pluralNoun
Great clutter or jumble; a total mess.
Made dinner and left the kitchen a shambles.
pluralNoun
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A place or scene of bloodshed or carnage.
pluralNoun
A scene or condition of great devastation.
pluralNoun
A scene of great slaughter, bloodshed, or carnage.
noun
Any scene or condition of great destruction or disorder.
Rooms left a shambles by conventioneers.
noun
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A slaughterhouse.
noun
(brit.) A place where meat is sold; butcher's stall or shop.
noun
Origin of shambles
- From Middle English shamel, shambil place where meat is butchered and sold from Old English sceamol table, counter (as one on which items for sale are placed) from Latin scabillum, scamillum diminutive of scamnum bench, stool
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Old English scamul. A borrowing from Vulgar Latin scamellum, diminutive of Latin scamnum (“bench").
From Wiktionary