addle

[ ad-l ]
/ ˈæd l /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR addle ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

QUIZZES

IS YOUR VOCABULARY AS STRONG AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT? TRY THIS QUIZ TO SEE!

It may seem like fun and games but this quiz that uses vocab from popular stories will determine how much you know.
Question 1 of 10
disgruntle
to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength
to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction
to make repayment or return for (service, benefits, etc.)
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of addle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM addle

un·ad·dled, adjective

Words nearby addle

additive group, additive identity, additive inverse, additive process, additory, addle, addlebrained, addlepated, addn., addnl., add-on
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to addle

mystify, baffle, perplex, bewilder, discombobulate, befuddle, muddy, disconcert, muddle, confound, puzzle, fuddle, mix up

Example sentences from the Web for addle

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012