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”

Example Sentences

Only one scene really has an impact: Ben runs into a nerd-revolutionary, adorably played by Michael Cera, who seems like a little brother of Leonardo DiCaprio’s addled old radical in “One Battle After Another.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For 18 years, Clayton Kershaw pitched through the gamut of emotions as both a hero and a villain, moments of euphoria addled with spells of despair, picturesque summers disappearing into the wicked wilds of October.

From Los Angeles Times

The delayed signing policy - players arriving in waves after the Champions League damage has been done - really addles the brain.

From BBC

Though he’d been addled by the ailment, he understood that his son had managed to preserve the family business.

From Los Angeles Times

But, like every addled maniac, his hatred lacks focus.

From Salon