Meaning & Definition of word "Muddle"

Muddle

/ˈmʌd.əl/

1. A state of confusion or disarray.
- Example: After the unexpected news, the office was in a complete muddle.
2. A mixture or jumble of things.
- Example: The closet was a muddle of clothes, shoes, and boxes.

1. To cause to become confused or disordered.
- Example: The sudden changes in the schedule muddled everyone’s plans for the event.
2. To mix or stir up in a confused manner; to make a mess of.
- Example: He muddled the ingredients together without following the recipe.
3. To think or act in a confused or aimless manner.
- Example: She muddled through her homework, struggling to focus on the questions.

From Middle English 'modlen', perhaps related to 'mud' in the sense of mixing.

muddle through:

To manage to do something in a clumsy or confused manner.

muddle one's thoughts:

To confuse or cloud one’s reasoning or understanding.

muddle up:

To confuse or make a mess of something.

muddled:

In a state of confusion or disorder.

muddler:

A tool used to mix or crush ingredients, often used in cocktails.

Meaning: To be in a state of confusion or disorder.

Example Sentence: After the meeting, my thoughts were completely muddled.

Meaning: To mess something up.

Example Sentence: He really muddled the presentation by forgetting his main points.