C1nouninformalworkhome
US/ˈʃæm.bəlz/
UK/ˈʃæm.bəlz/
a situation or place that is very badly organized or very untidy
In context
The meeting was a complete shambles because nobody had prepared anything.
After the birthday party, the kitchen was a shambles.
Critics called the government's response to the floods a shambles.
Words that go with shambles
adjective + noun
- complete shamblesThe new booking system is a complete shambles.
- total shamblesThe opening ceremony was a total shambles.
- absolute shamblesMy teenage son's bedroom is an absolute shambles.
- utter shamblesBy the end of the night, the hotel room was an utter shambles.
verb + preposition
- leave in a shamblesThe storm left the town in a shambles.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The event was a shamble.Correct: The event was a shambles.