Standard Lemma guide

higgledy-piggledy

adj · adv · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈhɪɡəldiˌpɪɡəldi/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

In utter disorder or confusion; mixed up.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

Examples

  • I can't find your memo since my desk is all higgledy-piggledy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

In a confused, disordered, or random way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A disordered jumble; a confusion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A double-dactyl; a short poem with eight lines in dactylic meter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Any of various word games using rhyming compounds or dactylic words or phrases.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective satellite

Meaning 6

in utter disorder

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a disorderly pile of clothes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disorderly, hugger-mugger, jumbled, topsy-turvy

Antonyms: none provided

7

adverb

Meaning 7

in a disordered manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • they were piled up higgledy-piggledy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: topsy-turvy

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

A reduplicated rhyming compound. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests a possible link to pig, since the animals huddle in irregular groups, but notes that the connection is uncertain. First use appears c. 1598. The first part of the old alternative form, hoggledy-piggledy, may derive from the archaic Welsh hogldy, a hovel.

Self-reference to the form of the word higgledy-piggledy.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: hujan hajan — in disorder
  • Finnish: sikin sokin — in disorder
  • French: pêle-mêle — in disorder
  • French: en désordre — in disorder
  • Hungarian: rendetlen — in disorder
  • Hungarian: rendezetlen — in disorder
  • Māori: tōroherohe — in disorder
  • Polish: bezładny — in disorder
  • French: pêle-mêle — in a disordered way
  • French: en désordre — in a disordered way
  • Greek: φύρδην μίγδην (fýrdin mígdin) — in a disordered way
  • Greek: άνω κάτω (áno káto) — in a disordered way
  • Greek: άρτζι μπούρτζι και λουλάς (ártzi boúrtzi kai loulás) — in a disordered way
  • Italian: alla rinfusa — in a disordered way
  • Italian: a catafascio — in a disordered way
  • Korean: 뒤죽박죽 (dwijukbakjuk) — in a disordered way
  • Polish: bezładnie — in a disordered way
  • Polish: jak popadnie — in a disordered way
  • Swedish: huller om buller — in a disordered way
  • Ukrainian: хаотично (xaotyčno) — in a disordered way