Meaning & use
scrambled
Last updated
“scrambled” is a form of “scramble”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Cooked by mixing the clear and yellow parts of eggs together and heating them while stirring.
Grammar: Used before a noun: scrambled eggs. It can also come after a linking verb: The eggs are scrambled.
Patterns
- scrambled eggs
- scrambled egg
I had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast.
She made scrambled eggs with cheese and herbs.
The cafe serves scrambled eggs all day.
adjectivebefore a noun
Mixed together in a confused way, so that the original order or pattern is lost.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a scrambled message. It can also follow a linking verb: The message was scrambled.
Patterns
- scrambled message
- scrambled signal
- scrambled letters
The scrambled letters made the word hard to read.
They sent a scrambled message to keep it secret.
The scrambled signal was impossible to understand.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Of a phone or radio signal, changed so that it cannot be understood without special equipment.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a scrambled call. It can also follow a linking verb: The line is scrambled.
Patterns
- scrambled phone line
- scrambled broadcast
- scrambled transmission
The general used a scrambled phone line for the call.
The scrambled broadcast could only be decoded by the military.
They scrambled the transmission to protect the information.
Common combinations
- scrambled eggs
- Scrambled eggs are a popular breakfast dish.
- scrambled message
- The spy received a scrambled message.
- scrambled signal
- The scrambled signal prevented eavesdropping.
- scrambled phone
- The president spoke on a scrambled phone.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mixed
- Mixed is a general word for combining things; scrambled often suggests a more chaotic or confused mixing, especially of eggs or signals.
- jumbled
- Jumbled means mixed in a disordered way, like scrambled, but jumbled is more common for physical objects or ideas, not for eggs.
- encrypted
- Encrypted is a technical term for converting data into code; scrambled is less formal and often implies a simpler or less secure process.
Opposites
Word family
- scramble verb
- To mix or move quickly and confusedly; also to cook eggs in this way.
- scrambler noun
- A device that scrambles signals or a person who scrambles.
Commonly confused: scrambled or scrambling?
scrambled vs scrambling
Scrambling is the -ing form of the verb scramble, as in 'I am scrambling eggs.' Scrambled is the past participle or adjective, as in 'scrambled eggs.'
Practice
Which sentence uses 'scrambled' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 uses 'scrambled' as a verb with a direct object ('the eggs'). Option 3 is also possible but less natural because 'scrambled eggs' as a compound noun is more common. Option 1 is ungrammatical because 'are' is extra. Option 2 is wrong because 'to' is not used after 'scrambled' in this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scrambled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.