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muddle

Pronunciation: /ˈmʌd(ə)l/
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Definition of muddle

verb

[with object]
  • 1bring into a disordered or confusing state:they were muddling up the cards
  • confuse (a person or their thoughts):Paul was hopelessly muddled by the rates of exchange
  • [no object, with adverbial] busy oneself in an aimless or ineffective way:he was muddling about in the kitchen
  • 2mix (a drink) or stir (an ingredient) into a drink.

noun

[usually in singular]
  • an untidy and disorganized state or collection:the finances were in a muddle [mass noun]:she was able to cut through confusion and muddle
  • a mistake arising from or resulting in confusion:a bureaucratic muddle

Phrasal Verbs

muddle through (or Britishalong)

cope more or less satisfactorily despite lack of expertise, planning, or equipment:while the children were young, we managed to muddle through

muddle something up

confuse two or more things with each other:the words seemed to have got muddled up

Derivatives

muddling

adjective

muddlingly

adverb

muddly

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'wallow in mud'): perhaps from Middle Dutch moddelen, frequentative of modden 'dabble in mud'; compare with mud. The sense 'confuse' was initially associated with alcoholic drink (late 17th century), giving rise to 'busy oneself in a confused way' and 'jumble up' (mid 19th century)

muddle in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of muddle in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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