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jam

jam

76 2.7
A crowd of people or vehicles that blocks movement
  • noun
  • /dʒæm/
translation icon : embotellamiento
  • Within minutes, they got stuck in a traffic jam on the coastal road.
  • traffic jam
  • phantom traffic jam
  • accidents and jams

Examples

Synonyms

crowd
vsjam
1.0

Many people or things are close together in one place

is specifically about people packed so movement is difficult
congestion
vsjam
37 3.4

Too many people or vehicles in one place that slow movement

emphasizes people packed closely with movement difficulty rather than other causes
traffic jam
vsjam
35 1.0

Many cars are stuck and move very slowly on a road

refers to people packed tightly in a place rather than vehicles on roads
crush
vsjam
16 3.4

A large, tightly packed group of people in one place

focuses on people packed closely causing movement difficulty
press
vsjam
14 5.1

A tightly packed group of people in a small space

describes crowding that mainly makes movement hard due to packing
crowding
vsjam
9 2.1

A large number of people in a small place that makes it feel cramped

stresses that movement becomes difficult because people are packed tightly
3.1

Too many people in one place, making it uncomfortable and hard to move

highlights movement difficulty more than general discomfort from numbers

Antonyms

1.0

An empty area available for use

1.0

The right to act, speak, or think as you want without being stopped

Idioms

in a jam
  • Informal
14 6.7

In trouble and needing help to fix a problem

money for jam
  • Archaic
8.3

Easy extra pay for very little work

To make someone feel disappointed or upset

Compounds

35 1.0

Many cars are stuck and move very slowly on a road

jam session
  • Informal
9 3.9

A meeting of musicians who make up music and play together without planning

A sweet spread people make from strawberries and sugar to put on bread or pastries

A sweet spread you make by cooking medlar fruit with sugar

jam box
  • Informal
7.8

A small loud speaker you carry to play music outdoors

jam tomorrow
  • Informal
9.9

A promise of good things in the future that never comes

How Crowded

jam
76 2.7
crowd
1.0

Surface Forms

jam singular
jams plural

Etymology

Jam meaning a crowded or blocked place comes from the same idea of things being pressed together or stuck in a 'tight' space. So a traffic or crowd 'jam' is when people or cars are so close they cannot move.