What does jamboree mean?
Word: Jamboree
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Jamboree means a large, noisy party or celebration where lots of people gather to enjoy themselves.
Synonyms: celebration, festivity
Word origin: Its origin is uncertain; the word was first recorded in the 1800s.
How do you spell jamboree?
Syllables: jam - bo - ree
Tricky part: The stress falls on the last syllable, and it is spelt with a double e. Pupils who hear a short ending write jambory or jamborie.
Watch out for: jambory, jamborie
Memory tip: A jamboree is full of glee, and the two words close the same way, with a double e.
Jamboree in a sentence
Example 1: The end of the football season turned into a jamboree, with music and food stalls all along the street.
Example 2: Sofia's grandparents still talk about the jamboree the town held when the new bridge opened.
Example 3: Our school's sports day felt like a jamboree once the brass band started playing.
Fun Fact
Since 1920 Scouts from many countries have met every few years at huge camps called World Scout Jamborees, each held in a different place.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
jamb____ree
a) o
b) e
c) ou
d) a
Show answer
a) o. The middle vowel is only a light uh sound, so it has to be learnt: jamboree takes an o there.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) carnival
b) pageant
c) marquee
d) jamborree
Show answer
d) jamborree. Marquee, pageant and carnival are spelt correctly; the big celebration has just one r.
Sound Check
Which of the following words rhymes with jamboree?
a) ballet
b) guarantee
c) puree
d) matinee
Show answer
b) guarantee. Guarantee ends in a stressed ee sound, just like jamboree; puree, matinee and ballet all end in an ay sound.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its synonym:
1. jamboree 2. chatter 3. dusk a. gala b. twilight c. prattle
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. A gala is a big festive event, prattle is idle talk, and twilight is the dim light at the end of the day.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which sentence uses jamboree correctly?
a) He jamboreed the plates carefully into the cupboard.
b) The soup tasted far too jamboree for the children.
c) The town held a week-long jamboree when its team won the cup.
d) She wrapped a warm jamboree round her neck before going out.
Show answer
c) The town held a week-long jamboree when its team won the cup.
2. Which of these is most nearly the opposite of a jamboree?
a) a big family birthday party
b) a quiet evening at home alone
c) a lively school sports day
d) a crowded street fair
Show answer
b) a quiet evening at home alone
