# scramble

/ˈskɹæmbəɫ/ (US) · /skɹˈæmbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scramble
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to climb or move quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to move quickly or climb over something using both your hands and your feet.

For teachers: to move hurriedly or climb over rough terrain or obstacles, typically employing all four limbs.

- The hikers had to scramble up the steep, rocky slope to reach the top.
- We watched the children scramble over the driftwood and boulders as the tide began to advance toward the cliffs.

### 2. to rush or struggle

verb · CEFR B2

to compete or rush to do something because you are in a hurry or in a difficult situation.

For teachers: to struggle or compete frantically with others to achieve a goal or collect items in a limited time.

- Shoppers began to scramble for the best deals as soon as the doors opened.
- When the government announced the new policy, journalists began to scramble for any available details to meet their midnight deadlines.

### 3. to cook eggs

verb · CEFR A2

to mix the white and yellow parts of eggs together and cook them in a pan.

For teachers: to prepare eggs by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking them over heat.

- I usually scramble three eggs for breakfast and serve them with toast.
- The chef demonstrated how to scramble the eggs over low heat to ensure a creamy texture without browning the edges.

### 4. to mix up signals

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to change a radio or phone signal so that people cannot understand it without a special machine.

For teachers: to make a telecommunications signal unintelligible to unauthorized listeners by electronic means.

- The spy used a special device to scramble his voice during the phone call.
- The broadcast was scrambled to prevent non-subscribers from accessing the premium sports content without authorization.

### 5. to deploy aircraft

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to send military planes into the air very quickly to deal with a threat.

For teachers: to order aircraft or pilots to take off immediately in response to an emergency or enemy threat.

- The air force had to scramble two jets to check on the unidentified plane.
- Upon detecting the radar signature of an intruder, the commander ordered the squadron to scramble immediately.

### 6. a difficult climb

noun · CEFR B2

a walk or climb that is difficult and requires you to use your hands.

For teachers: an act of climbing or moving over rough ground where the use of hands is necessary.

- It was a tough scramble to the summit, but the view was worth it.
- The final approach to the peak involves a three-hundred-meter scramble over loose scree and jagged limestone.

### 7. a frantic rush

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where many people are rushing or competing for the same thing.

For teachers: a confused or frantic rush; a period of intense and disorderly competition.

- There was a mad scramble for seats when the train finally arrived.
- The sudden bankruptcy of the firm led to a desperate scramble among creditors to secure the remaining assets.

## Examples

- The children scramble up the hill to see the view.
- Shoppers often scramble to find the best deals during the first hour of the holiday sale.
- As the deadline approached, the legal team had to scramble to assemble the necessary documentation before the court session began.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.