scrambled

Everyday

1. (of eggs) Beaten and cooked in a pan while being stirred, so they become soft lumps. tree →
2. Mixed up so it makes no sense or cannot be read: scrambled letters, a scrambled signal. tree →
3. (verb, past) Climbed or moved quickly and awkwardly: "We scrambled up the hill." tree →
4. (informal) Confused: "My brain is scrambled." tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, scrambled eggs on toast is a common breakfast. In word puzzles, scrambled words are anagrams to unscramble. In science and technology, scrambled signals are coded so outsiders cannot read them. In stories, "scrambled" shows a hurried, messy escape. Phrases: scrambled eggs, scrambled letters, scrambled to safety.

Examples

• I had scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. tree →
• Unscramble these scrambled words: "olohcs" = "school". tree →
• The TV picture was scrambled. tree →
• We scrambled to safety as the wave came in. tree →
• After the long test, my brain felt scrambled. tree →
• The spy sent a scrambled message. tree →
• Then, recollecting themselves, they scrambled to their feet, and looked more than commonly foolish. tree →

Note

"Scrambled" is the past form and an adjective. Scrambled eggs are not the same as fried or boiled eggs. In puzzles, the letters stay the same, just in a new order.