Word
melee
/ˈmeɪˌɫeɪ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a confused, noisy fight or a crowded situation where people are moving around in a disorganized way.
n. a confused struggle or fight at close quarters involving many participants; a confused mass of people in close proximity.
Examples
“Several players were injured during the melee on the field.”
“The peaceful protest suddenly turned into a melee as the crowd surged forward and clashed with the security barriers.”
“In the chaotic melee that followed the sudden power outage, several shoppers were knocked over as the panicked crowd rushed toward the dimly lit emergency exits.”
Examples
simple
“Several players were injured during the melee on the field.”
contextual
“The peaceful protest suddenly turned into a melee as the crowd surged forward and clashed with the security barriers.”
complex
“In the chaotic melee that followed the sudden power outage, several shoppers were knocked over as the panicked crowd rushed toward the dimly lit emergency exits.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' to describe a specific chaotic event.
Real-World Examples
“Bronze then added to United’s misery during the final minute of added time, hammering the ball in after Walsh knocked a corner back into the melee in the six-yard box.” “These are some of the most dynamic melee encounters in the game’s roughly 12-hour run time: a balletic, show-stopping dance of light and movement.” Etymology
Borrowed from French mêlée, from Old French meslee, feminine past participle of mesler (“to mix”), derived from Latin misceō (“mix”). Doublet of medley.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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