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Definition of shambolic

shambolic

/ʃæmˈbɑːl.ɪk/
sham · bol · ic
Adverb:shambolically
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shambolic Lexical Profile

shambolic Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

British Chaotic, disorganized, or poorly managed.

Example

"The committee's shambolic handling of the festival led to long delays and widespread complaints from attendees."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for shambolic

• Nearby Words

shamanic
shamble
shambles
shambolic
shame
shamefaced
shamefacedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century British English from the noun 'shambles' (meaning a state of total disorder, originally referring to a meat market or slaughterhouse), modeled playfully on 'symbolic'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Shambolic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/shambolic
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