Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

shemozzle

/ʃəˈmɑzəl/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables
she-moz-zle
IPA
/ʃəˈmɑzəl/
32
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A state of chaos or confusion.

Slang

noun

A quarrel or rumpus.

Slang

verb

To scarper; to run away; to flee.

Slang

Example Sentences

Etymology

UK late-19th century. Borrowed from Yiddish שלימזל (shlimazl, “misfortune”), from Middle High German slim (“crooked”) and Hebrew מַזָּל (mazzāl, “luck”). Cognate with US English schlimazel (“unlucky person”). Compare German Schlamassel.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: שלימזל, slim, מַזָּל

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ʃəˈmɑzəl/
  • British English: /ʃɪˈmɒzəl/

Usage

Inflected Forms

shemozzles (plural) chemozzle (alternative) chermozzle (alternative) chimozzle (alternative) schemozzle (alternative) schimozzle (alternative) schlemozzle (alternative) schmozzle (alternative) shamozzle (alternative) shimozzel (alternative) shimozzle (alternative) shlemozel (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce shemozzle?
The recorded pronunciation is /ʃəˈmɑzəl/.
What does shemozzle mean?
A state of chaos or confusion.
Where does shemozzle come from?
It is traced to Yiddish.

How to pronounce shemozzle

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “shemozzle”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ʃəˈmɑzəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “shemozzle”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “shemozzle” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.