English Explanatory Dictionary

muddle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To mix together, to mix up; to confuse.
  2. To mash slightly for use in a cocktail.
  3. To dabble in mud.
  4. To make turbid or muddy.
  5. To think and act in a confused, aimless way.
  6. To cloud or stupefy; to render stupid with liquor; to intoxicate partially.
  7. To waste or misuse, as one does who is stupid or intoxicated.
noun
  1. A mixture; a confusion; a garble.
  2. A mixture of crushed ingredients, as prepared with a muddler.
  3. A muddy mess.
noun
  1. A servant's attendant; underservant.

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌdl̩/ /ˈmʌd(ə)l/ En-us-muddle.ogg

Word forms

muddle muddles muddling muddled

Etymology

From Middle English modelen (attested in present participle modeland (“wallowing”)), from Middle Dutch moddelen (“to make muddy”), from modde, mod (“mud”) (Modern Dutch modder). By surface analysis, mud + -le. Compare German Kuddelmuddel.

Related words

mudpuddle

Derived words

bemuddle muddle along muddlebrained muddled muddledom muddlehead muddleheaded muddle-headed muddlement muddle on muddler muddlesome muddle the waters muddle through muddle up muddlingly muddly remuddle unmuddle
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