jam
Translation
jam, preserve, traffic jam, predicament
Examples
She spread strawberry jam on her toast.
She spread strawberry jam on her toast.
We were stuck in a traffic jam for an hour.
We were stuck in a traffic jam for an hour.
Grammar Patterns
((fruit)) jam a type of fruit preserve I love strawberry jam.
a traffic jam a line of stationary or slow-moving vehicles I was late because of a traffic jam.
Similar Words
Synonyms (spread): jelly, preserve; Synonyms (blockage): congestion, gridlock
Etymology
From the verb 'to jam' (to press tightly). It refers to fruit jam because fruit is 'jammed' or crushed to make it, and to a traffic jam because cars are 'jammed' together.
Memory Tips
Connect the image of fruit being 'jammed' into a jar with cars being 'jammed' together on a road to remember both meanings.