addled

American  

[ad-ld] / ˈæd ld /

adjective

1. confused, especially mentally.

   Given her addled state, the police discounted much of what the witness had to say.

2. (of an egg) not able to produce viable young.

   One of the nests had two chicks and two addled eggs.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of addle.

Other Word Forms

• unaddled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of addled

addle ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

To be addled is to be fuzzy in the head, a little foggy and confused. When you're addled, you're having trouble thinking. If your favorite movie star walks by and says hello, you might be too addled to say hi back. Sometimes it's hard to think and you feel slow and befuddled. When your brain feels like it's stuck in some mental mud, you're addled. People are addled for many reasons. When you first wake up, you probably feel addled. Drinking too much makes people feel addled. A confusing situation can make you feel addled. Being in love, star struck, drunk, sleepy, or sick can make you feel addled. Avoid big decisions and important tests when you’re addled!

Example Sentences

In the tradition of the Good Parliament, the Long Parliament, the Addled Parliament and the Cavalier Parliament, will history remember the short, but eventful parliament of 2015-17?

From BBC • May 8, 2017

Addled urbanites are heading to therapy in droves.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2017

The Addled Parliament of 1614 passed no acts and was so named because none of its eggs hatched.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2013

Addled by a lingering hip injury, Andy Roddick, has slipped to 29th in the world.

From Washington Post • May 26, 2012

After several weeks of angry discussion the King dissolved what was nicknamed the "Addled Parliament," because its enemies accused it of having accomplished nothing.

From The Leading Facts of English History by Montgomery, D. H. (David Henry)

Related Words

• befuddled
• bewildered