HELTER-SKELTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does helter-skelter mean? 

• HELTER-SKELTER (adjective)
  The adjective HELTER-SKELTER has 2 senses:

1. lacking a visible order or organization

2. with undue hurry and confusion

  Familiarity information: HELTER-SKELTER used as an adjective is rare.

• HELTER-SKELTER (adverb)
  The adverb HELTER-SKELTER has 1 sense:

1. haphazardly

  Familiarity information: HELTER-SKELTER used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HELTER-SKELTER (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking a visible order or organization

Synonyms:

chaotic; helter-skelter

Similar:

disorganised; disorganized (lacking order or methodical arrangement or function)

Sense 2

Meaning:

With undue hurry and confusion

Synonyms:

helter-skelter; pell-mell

Context example:

a pell-mell dash for the train

Similar:

hurried (moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste)

• HELTER-SKELTER (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Haphazardly

Synonyms:

every which way; helter-skelter

Context example:

the books were piled up helter-skelter

 Context examples 

I poked again and said, "A little faster," then off he went, helter-skelter as before, and we resigned ourselves to our fate.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)