VocabDictionary

jam

/dʒÃĶm/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A sweet spread made by boiling fruit and sugar until thick.

Example Sentences:
  • “She spread strawberry jam on her morning toast.”
  • “The pantry was stocked with jars of homemade apricot jam.”
2.noun

A situation in which movement is blocked or difficult, especially involving vehicles.

Example Sentences:
  • “We were stuck in a massive traffic jam for over an hour.”
  • “The printer has a paper jam that needs to be cleared.”
3.verb

To squeeze or pack tightly into a specified space.

Example Sentences:
  • “He jammed his clothes into the suitcase before rushing to the airport.”
  • “The door jammed shut and would not budge.”
4.verb

To play music, especially jazz or rock, in an informal or improvisational manner.

Example Sentences:
  • “The band stayed late at the studio to jam on some new riffs.”
  • “It was great to see the local musicians jamming in the park.”
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “jam”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Originating in the early 18th century, the word is of uncertain etymology, possibly an alteration of 'champ' (to chew or crush). The sense of 'to press or squeeze' emerged in the 18th century, while the culinary sense of 'fruit preserved by boiling with sugar' appeared in the early 1700s, likely from the idea of the fruit being crushed or pressed into the jar.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine a jar of fruit being 'jammed' (pushed) into a tight space.

Common Collocations & Phrases
Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “jam”

1. What is the meaning of “jam” in English?

In English, jam (noun) is defined as: “A sweet spread made by boiling fruit and sugar until thick.”.

2. How do you use “jam” in a sentence?

“She spread strawberry jam on her morning toast.”

3. What are English synonyms of “jam”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “jam”?

Originating in the early 18th century, the word is of uncertain etymology, possibly an alteration of 'champ' (to chew or crush). The sense of 'to press or squeeze' emerged in the 18th century, while the culinary sense of 'fruit preserved by boiling with sugar' appeared in the early 1700s, likely from the idea of the fruit being crushed or pressed into the jar.