English Meaning & Definitions
Stuck, blocked, or unable to move or operate properly.
- “I was late for work because the copy machine was jammed again.”
- “The key wouldn't turn in the lock because the mechanism was jammed.”
Past tense and past participle of 'jam': to push, squeeze, or wedge something tightly into a space.
- “She jammed all her clothes into the suitcase and finally zipped it shut.”
- “He jammed on the brakes when the deer ran across the road.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “jammed”.
The past participle and adjective 'jammed' derives from the verb 'jam' (first recorded in the mid-18th century), which likely originated as an alteration of 'champ' or 'crunch', or from the sound of crushing or squeezing. The nautical sense of a rope getting stuck dates to the late 18th century, expanding by the 20th century to mechanical blockages and radio signal interference.
Think of traffic completely stuck like fruit jam squeezed tightly into a jar.
Frequently Asked Questions About “jammed”
1. What is the meaning of “jammed” in English?
In English, jammed (adjective) is defined as: “Stuck, blocked, or unable to move or operate properly.”.
2. How do you use “jammed” in a sentence?
“I was late for work because the copy machine was jammed again.”
3. What are English synonyms of “jammed”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “jammed”?
The past participle and adjective 'jammed' derives from the verb 'jam' (first recorded in the mid-18th century), which likely originated as an alteration of 'champ' or 'crunch', or from the sound of crushing or squeezing. The nautical sense of a rope getting stuck dates to the late 18th century, expanding by the 20th century to mechanical blockages and radio signal interference.
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