Addle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /ˈa-dᵊl/ ad·dle

Meaning & Definition of Addle

Addle (adjective)

  1. rotten
  2. confused

Addle (verb)

  1. to throw into confusion, confound
  2. to become rotten, spoil
  3. to become confused

Addle (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. suffering from mental confusion

    "my brain grew more and more addle as I made my way through the tax instructions"

    similar: addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, bushed (chiefly Australian), confounded, confused, dazed, distracted, dizzy, dopey, fogged, mixed-up, muddleheaded, muzzy, pixilated, punch-drunk, punchy, raddled, shell-shocked, silly, slaphappy, spaced-out, spacey, stunned, stupefied, zonked, zonked-out, at sea, out of it
    related: senseless, unconscious
    opposite: clearheaded
    near: alert, conscious

Addle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

    "after slipping on the ice, Bethany was so addled that she left her groceries where they'd fallen"

    similar: baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, confuse, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex, blow one's mind, go to one's head
    related: stick, stump, weird out, abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle, agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset, beguile, cozen, deceive, delude, dupe, fool, gull, hoax, hoodwink, humbug, misguide, mislead, snow, string along, take in, trick
    near: assure, reassure, satisfy, enlighten, inform

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Addle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Addle:

Chiefly Australian: bushed
addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, confounded, confused, dazed, distracted, dizzy, dopey, fogged, mixed-up, muddleheaded, muzzy, pixilated, punch-drunk, punchy, raddled, shell-shocked, silly, slaphappy, spaced-out, spacey, stunned, stupefied, zonked, zonked-out, at sea, out of it, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Addle

Words with the opposite meaning of Addle:

clearheaded

Related Words for Addle

senseless, unconscious, stick, stump, weird out, abash, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle, agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, stun, unhinge, unsettle, upset, beguile

Near Antonyms of Addle

alert, conscious, assure, reassure, satisfy, enlighten, inform

Word Forms of Addle

Inflections: addled, addling

Origin & Etymology of Addle

Middle English adel- (in adel eye "putrid egg"), attributive use of Old English adela "filth, filthy or foul-smelling place," going back to Germanic *adela-, *adelōn- (whence Middle Dutch ael "liquid manure," Middle Low German ādel, ādele, Middle High German —east Upper German— adel, regional Swedish adel, al "animal urine"), of obscure origin

First known use: 1682

Frequently Asked Questions about Addle

What does "Addle" mean?

"Addle" means rotten. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: rotten. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Addle"?

Other words for "Addle" include addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered and bushed. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Addle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Addle"?

There are 105 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Addle". Common alternatives include addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, bushed, confounded and confused.

What is the opposite of "Addle"?

Antonyms of "Addle" include clearheaded. Near antonyms include alert, conscious, assure and reassure.

How do you use "Addle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Addle" in a sentence: "my brain grew more and more addle as I made my way through the tax instructions"; "after slipping on the ice, Bethany was so addled that she left her groceries where they'd fallen".

Is "Addle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Addle" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Addle"?

"Addle" is pronounced /ˈa-dᵊl/ and divided into syllables as ad·dle.

What is the origin of the word "Addle"?

"Addle" comes from Middle English adel- (in adel eye "putrid egg"), attributive use of Old English adela "filth, filthy or foul-smelling place," going back to Germanic *adela-, *adelōn- (whence Middle Dutch ael "liquid manure," Middle Low German ādel, ādele, Middle High German —east Upper German— adel, regional Swedish adel, al "animal urine"), of obscure origin. First known use: 1682.