cobwebs

British

/ ˈkɒbˌwɛbz /

plural noun

mustiness, confusion, or obscurity
informal stickiness of the eyelids experienced upon first awakening

"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

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.

The room, indeed, appeared spooky and abandoned with cobwebs and Fey wearing a robe made out of Paddington, which she said she got after hosting “SNL UK” last month.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

But the full force of energy bursting from Cyclops' visor should obliterate those cobwebs.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

"And when we added the methyl groups back to the genes, they turned off again. So, these compounds aren't cobwebs -- they're anchors."

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

For now, though, investors should prepare to shake off the cobwebs over tech stocks, according to Newton.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025

Spit strings dangled like cobwebs, and Grandpop’s smile was in the palm of his hand.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023