tangle

¹ American  

[tang-guhl] / ˈtæŋ gəl /

verb (used with object)

tangled, tangling

1. to bring together into a mass of confusedly interlaced or intertwisted threads, strands, or other like parts; snarl.

2. to involve in something that hampers, obstructs, or overgrows.

   The bushes were tangled with vines.

3. to catch and hold in or as if in a net or snare.

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verb (used without object)

tangled, tangling

1. to be or become tangled.

2. Informal. to come into conflict; fight or argue.

   I don't want to tangle with him over the new ruling.

noun

1. a tangled condition or situation.

2. a tangled or confused mass or assemblage of something.

3. a confused jumble.

   a tangle of contradictory statements.

   Synonyms:

   fight, dispute, argument, altercation, maze, labyrinth, snarl

4. Informal. a conflict; disagreement.

   He got into a tangle with the governor.

tangle ² American  

[tang-guhl] / ˈtæŋ gəl /

noun

1. any of several large seaweeds of the genus Laminaria.

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tangle ¹ British  

/ ˈtæŋɡəl /

noun

1. a confused or complicated mass of hairs, lines, fibres, etc, knotted or coiled together

2. a complicated problem, condition, or situation

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verb

1. to become or cause to become twisted together in a confused mass

2. to come into conflict; contend

   to tangle with the police

3. (tr) to involve in matters which hinder or confuse

   to tangle someone in a shady deal

4. (tr) to ensnare or trap, as in a net

tangle ² British  

/ ˈtæŋɡəl /

noun

1. alternative names (esp Scot) for oarweed

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Other Word Forms

• tanglement noun
• tangler noun
• tangly adverb

Etymology

Origin of tangle¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tangilen, tagilen “to entangle,” probably from a Scandinavian language; compare Swedish (dialect) taggla “to disarrange”

Origin of tangle²

First recorded in 1530–40; from a Scandinavian language; compare Old Norse thǫngull “strand of tangle,” Norwegian tang

Explanation

A tangle is a jumble. You might have a tangle of cords behind your computer or a tangle of complications related to your taxes. Whatever it is, once something is in a tangle, it's difficult to sort out. The word tangle likely originated from a Scandinavian source — taggla, in a Swedish dialect, means “disarrange.” Tangle also can be used as a verb: you may tangle your hair as a fashion statement, but then it hurts to comb it out. As a noun, tangle can refer to an argument or a fight between two people: if you're really feisty, people might be warned away from getting into a tangle with you.

Example Sentences

“Charge my phone?” asked another, and Gil submitted the device into a tangle of cords growing from a surge protector.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

A formidable presence, a defender's nightmare - too tight and he'll turn you, drop off and he'll bury one from distance, try to tangle and he'll cause you all kinds of chaos.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

A westward look at KCK from atop KCMO’s distinctive skyline would find a tangle of smokestacks, factories and rail yards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

The chicken, shredded tender, mingles with spaghetti broken into thirds, while cream-of-mushroom soup pulls everything into a glossy, velvety tangle.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Brooklyn quickly studied the tangle of wires that ran to the back of one of the computers and patched in the crash cart.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• confuse
• embroil
• enmesh
• entangle
• perplex
• snarl
• tie up
• trap