addle

1 of 2

adjective

ad·​dle ˈa-dᵊl How to pronounce addle (audio)
1
of an egg : rotten
2

addle

2 of 2

verb

addled; addling ˈad-liŋ How to pronounce addle (audio)
ˈa-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to throw into confusion : confound

intransitive verb

1
: to become rotten : spoil
2
: to become confused

Examples of addle in a Sentence

Adjective my brain grew more and more addle as I made my way through the tax instructions Verb It's a dangerous poison that's strong enough to addle the brain. Their brains were addled with fear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Soon enough, the foursome are in the back of that truck in an adventure that begins as a moneymaking scheme and promises to become a heroic journey into the heart of white supremacy at its most virulent and addle-minded. Ann Hornaday, Twin Cities, 25 July 2019
Verb
But sorry, who can listen to this and not think, this is abnormal? Business Column: California’s transgender sanctuary law survives a challenge as judge ridicules plaintiff’s claims April 11, 2024 No one, other than people so addled by transgender-paranoia. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024 Writer’s block was extreme, and the alcohol had addled his mind. Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for addle 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Verb

probably back-formation from addled

First Known Use

Adjective

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1652, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of addle was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near addle

Cite this Entry

“Addle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

addle

verb
ad·​dle
ˈad-ᵊl
addled; addling
ˈad-liŋ,
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make or become confused
2
: to become rotten : spoil
addled eggs

More from Merriam-Webster on addle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!