clutter

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a confused multitude of things
  2. noun unwanted echoes that interfere with the observation of signals on a radar screen
  3. verb fill a space in a disorderly way

Etymology

From Middle English cloteren (“to form clots; coagulate; heap on”), from clot (“clot”), equivalent to clot + -er (frequentative suffix). Compare Welsh cludair (“heap, pile”), cludeirio (“to heap”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

jumble, muddle, fuddle, mare's nest, welter, smother

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