addle
[ ad-l ]
/ ˈæd l /
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verb (used with or without object), ad·dled, ad·dling.
to make or become confused.
to make or become rotten, as eggs.
adjective
mentally confused; muddled.
rotten: addle eggs.
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Origin of addle
First recorded before 1000; Middle English adel “rotten,” Old English adela “liquid, filth”; cognate with Middle Low German adele “liquid manure”
OTHER WORDS FROM addle
ad·dled, adjectiveWords nearby addle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use addle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for addle (1 of 2)
addle1
/ (ˈædəl) /
verb
to make or become confused or muddled
to make or become rotten
adjective
(in combination) indicating a confused or muddled stateaddle-brained; addle-pated
Word Origin for addle
C18: (vb), back formation from addled, from c13 addle rotten, from Old English adela filth; related to dialect German Addel liquid manure
British Dictionary definitions for addle (2 of 2)
addle2
/ (ˈædəl) /
verb
Northern English dialect to earn (money or one's living)
Word Origin for addle
C13: addlen, from Old Norse öthlask to gain possession of property, from ōthal property
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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