verb
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to make or become confused or muddled
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to make or become rotten
adjective
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing addle
Unit 4: Powerful Openings
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"Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
