Standard Lemma guide

recombobulate

verb · 2 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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause to think clearly again; to reorient; to put back into working order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive, uncommon

Examples

  • 1992, Natty Bumppo Lonely Hearts Please allow me to recombobulate you. Your portrait “Oneside of Natty” frightens me as much as Amy’s sketch.
  • 2002 April 14, Jeff Westbrook, “The 30% Iron Chef”, Futurama, season 3, episode 22, Fox Broadcasting Company Zoidberg: Aw, I’ll never recombobulate this ship!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To (come to) think clearly again; to reorient oneself; to get (oneself) back into working order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • 2005, Stephin Merritt, The Paris Review Book of People with Problems You need a little time to recombobulate is all.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Jocular formation from re- and discombobulate.