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

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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”

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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

See Examples For:

addle addled addling

He expected the chemical would addle mitochondria in every organ.

From Science Magazine ● May 4, 2023

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

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

From Washington 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

Some of what Chris says is a lie; some is addled and confused.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

What rare fruit survived to maturity on these little, addled trees was misshapen, acrid, and stubbornly green on one end; in short, it tasted terrible.

From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2026

We should not seek ethical guidance from addled entertainers, but we can find insights into our temporal and spiritual condition.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jan. 5, 2025

I needed to keep his addled attention on my questions.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

He said social media could create "greater connections and a sense of belonging" but also came with risks including the "harm of addling the developing mind of young people".

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026

It is the play itself that lurches and rocks us, addling our expectation of narrative coherence in order to take us inside the sort of experience that can’t be grasped with the mind alone.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 30, 2019

The blaze has been propelled by a heatwave addling much of the nation, in addition to the naturally dry and windy conditions of Southern California's Santa Clarita Valley, the area affected by the fire.

From US News ● Jul. 25, 2016

You don’t feel like hissing this Miss Hannigan, which adds an addling ambivalence to the show.

From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2012

Hyperaspists of templéd night, And yawning caverns cold and bleak, Forsake the crown of addling Care; Whilst afrites in bright jeweled cars, Lured by the phosphorescent light, Scale an immarcescible peak.

From Betelguese A Trip Through Hell by Jean de Esque

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