jam

A sweet food made by cooking fruit with sugar, usually spread on bread.

• I like jam on toast.
• She made raspberry jam yesterday.
• Would you like some bread and jam?

Similar words: preserve

Common phrases: strawberry jam, jam on toast

A situation where things cannot move or pass through because something is blocking the way.

• We waited in a traffic jam.
• A paper jam stopped the printer.
• The accident caused long jams on both roads.

Similar words: blockage, congestion

Common phrases: traffic jam, paper jam

A difficult situation that you need help to escape from.

• I am in a jam.
• She helped me out of a jam.
• How did you get into this jam?

How to use it: in a jam (We are in a jam because we have no money.)

Similar words: difficulty, fix, predicament

Common phrases: in a jam, get into a jam

A song or recorded piece of music, especially one you enjoy.

• This is my favourite jam.
• The DJ played some old jams.
• Turn up this jam so we can dance.

Similar words: song, track, tune

Common phrases: my favourite jam, this jam

An informal event where people work together to develop ideas or make projects.

• We joined a game jam.
• The design jam lasted all weekend.
• Several teams built new projects during the jam.

Similar words: creative workshop

Common phrases: game jam, design jam

To get stuck and stop moving or working, or to cause this to happen.

• The printer jammed again.
• A small stone jammed the wheel.
• Cars jammed the narrow street.

Similar words: block, clog

Opposites: unblock

Common phrases: jam up, jam a printer, jam the door

To push something hard into a tight space.

• She jammed the key into the lock.
• I jammed another sweater into my suitcase.
• Don’t jam all those papers in one drawer.

How to use it: jam something into something (He jammed the clothes into his bag.)

Similar words: cram, stuff, force

Common phrases: jam something into, jam something in

To play music freely with other musicians, often without planning or practising it first.

• We jam every Friday.
• They jammed together in the garage.
• Would you like to jam with our band?

How to use it: jam with someone (I sometimes jam with friends after work.)

Similar words: improvise

Common phrases: jam with someone, jam together