First Known Use: 1676
Dictionary
1muddle
verb mud·dle \ˈmə-dəl\
: to cause confusion in (someone or someone's mind)
: to mix up (something) in a confused way
mud·dledmud·dling \ˈməd-liŋ, ˈmə-dəl-iŋ\
Full Definition of MUDDLE
transitive verb
1
: to make turbid or muddy
2
: to befog or stupefy especially with liquor
3
: to mix confusedly
4
: to make a mess of : bungle
intransitive verb
: to think or act in a confused aimless way
— mud·dler \ˈməd-lər, ˈmə-dəl-ər\ noun
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Origin of MUDDLE
probably from obsolete Dutch moddelen, from Middle Dutch, from modde mud; akin to Middle Low German mudde
2muddle
noun
: a state of confusion or disorder
: a situation or mistake caused by confusion
: a confused mess : a disordered mixture
Full Definition of MUDDLE
1
: a state of especially mental confusion
2
: a confused mess
— mud·dly \ˈməd-lē, ˈmə-dəl-ē\ adjective
See muddle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MUDDLE
1808
Related to MUDDLE
- Synonyms
- chance-medley, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, dishevelment, disorder, disorderedness, disorderliness, disorganization, free-for-all, havoc, heck, hell, jumble, mare's nest, mess, messiness, misorder, chaos, muss, shambles, snake pit, tumble, welter
- Antonyms
- order, orderliness
MUDDLING Defined for Kids
1muddle
verb mud·dle \ˈmə-dəl\
mud·dledmud·dling
Definition of MUDDLE for Kids
1
: to be or cause to be confused or bewildered <“Haven't I so muddled their brains they want to turn you loose?” — Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy>
2
: to mix up in a confused manner <They muddled the story.>
3
: to think or proceed in a confused way <I somehow muddled through the task.>
2muddle
noun
Definition of MUDDLE for Kids
: a state of confusion
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