addle

American  

[ad-l] / ˈæd l /

verb (used with or without object)

addled, addling

1. to make or become confused.

2. to make or become rotten, as eggs.

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adjective

1. mentally confused; muddled.

2. rotten.

   addle eggs.

addle ¹ British  

/ ˈædəl /

verb

1. to make or become confused or muddled

2. to make or become rotten

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adjective

1. (in combination) indicating a confused or muddled state

   addle-brained

   addle-pated

addle ² British  

/ ˈædəl /

verb

1. dialect to earn (money or one's living)

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Other Word Forms

• addled adjective

Etymology

Origin of addle

First recorded before 1000; Middle English adel “rotten,” Old English adela “liquid, filth”; cognate with Middle Low German adele “liquid manure”

Explanation

Addle is a verb meaning to confuse. When your great uncle Marvin became infirm in his later years, trying to distinguish between you and your cousins tended to addle his brain. Addle is a Middle English word coming from the Old English adela, meaning “liquid filth.” It’s related to the German adel, meaning “mire or puddle.” In the thirteenth century, addle was used to refer to rotten eggs. Now it's used to describe a confused mind. When someone's mind becomes addled — whether it's from age or love or illness — it’s like the brain is rotten.

Example Sentences

He expected the chemical would addle mitochondria in every organ.

From Science Magazine • May 4, 2023

Temperatures reach an unheard-of 115 in the Pacific Northwest To “Summer in the City” Hot town, summer in Seattle; Portlander brains are starting to addle.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2021

Her putter works just fine from medium to long range; it’s the tiddlers that get her nerves jangling and addle the head.

From The Guardian • Aug. 3, 2019

The company will also remove nests, transport injured birds to rehabilitation centers and addle the eggs.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2018

“I dim the eyes and addle the brain. Every mortal fears old age!”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan