fuddle

[ fuhd-l ]
See synonyms for: fuddlefuddled on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),fud·dled, fud·dling.
  1. to muddle or confuse: a jumble of sounds to fuddle the senses.

  2. to make drunk; intoxicate.

verb (used without object),fud·dled, fud·dling.
  1. to tipple.

noun
  1. a confused state; muddle; jumble.

Origin of fuddle

1
First recorded in 1580–90; origin uncertain

Other words from fuddle

  • un·fud·dled, adjective

Words Nearby fuddle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fuddle in a sentence

  • Because he eats tallow candles and is happy when he can fuddle himself on bad liquor.

  • He could but compose the sort of thing the court wanted of him, and in order to that, had to fuddle his brains first, poor fellow!

    Thomas Wingfold, Curate | George MacDonald
  • Hamla Ombashi is a corporal of the transport service, and "fuddle" is to sit down.

    Khartoum Campaign, 1898 | Bennet Burleigh
  • Thee-ing and thou-ing till it is enough to fuddle a sober man's wits.

    The Great Quest | Charles Boardman Hawes
  • The horrid creatures are going to fuddle at the tea-garden, and get tipsy like their masters.

    The Virginians | William Makepeace Thackeray

British Dictionary definitions for fuddle

fuddle

/ (ˈfʌdəl) /


verb
  1. (tr; often passive) to cause to be confused or intoxicated

  2. (intr) to drink excessively; tipple

noun
  1. a muddled or confused state

Origin of fuddle

1
C16: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012