muddle

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a confused multitude of things
  2. noun informal terms for a difficult situation
  3. verb make into a puddle

Etymology

From Middle English modelen (attested in present participle modeland (“wallowing”)), from Middle Dutch moddelen (“to make muddy”), from modde, mod (“mud”) (Modern Dutch modder). By surface analysis, mud + -le. Compare German Kuddelmuddel.

In classic literature

Synonyms

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

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