Word
confused
Phoneticscon·fused, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈfjuzd/
UK/kənfjˈuːzd/
Definitions
01unable to understand
B1 · Intermediate
adj. unable to think clearly or understand what is happening.
adj. characterised by a lack of clear understanding or a state of mental uncertainty.
Español:confundido
“I was totally confused by the new bus timetable and missed my stop.”
“The students looked visibly confused when the professor began discussing advanced calculus without reviewing the foundational concepts first.”
Pitfall
The instructions were very confused.
The instructions were very confusing.
Use 'confused' for the person who feels the emotion and 'confusing' for the thing that causes the feeling.
02disorganized or messy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not clear or organized; messy and difficult to follow.
adj. lacking order, clarity, or a logical sequence; jumbled or muddled in presentation.
日本語:めちゃくちゃ※
“The witness gave a confused account of the accident, changing her story twice.”
“The report presented a confused set of data that made it nearly impossible for the board to reach a definitive conclusion.”
Synonyms
03disoriented
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
adj. feeling lost or not knowing where you are.
adj. suffering from a lack of physical or situational orientation.
日本語:まごまご※
Español:confundido
“The old man was found wandering the streets, looking tired and confused.”
“After the minor head injury, the patient appeared slightly confused regarding his current location and the date.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “confused” in context.
Verb
01. become confused
“It is easy to become confused when there are too many options to choose from.”
verb + adj
02. leave confused
“The complex plot of the movie left many viewers confused.”
verb + adj
03. look confused
“She looked confused when I mentioned a name she didn't recognize.”
verb + adj
04. remain confused
“Despite the explanation, most students remained confused about the formula.”
verb + adj
05. render confused
“The sudden change in policy rendered the staff confused and frustrated.”
verb + adj
Adjective
06. highly confused
“The patient seemed highly confused about the date and time.”
adv + adj
07. mentally confused
“The medication left him feeling mentally confused for several hours.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. confused expression
“The boy had a confused expression on his face after the joke.”
adj + noun
09. confused state
“He was found in a confused state, wandering near the park.”
adj + noun
10. a confused jumble of ideas
“His essay was just a confused jumble of ideas with no clear structure.”
11. confused about the situation
“Many citizens are confused about the situation regarding the new tax laws.”
12. get confused between two things
“I always get confused between the two brothers because they look so similar.”
Confusables
Confused describes the person feeling the emotion, while confusing describes the thing causing that feeling.
Remember-ed = how I feel; -ing = what it is.
Etymology
Originally from Middle English confused (“frustrated, ruined”), from Anglo-Norman confus + Middle English -ed (past participial suffix), from Latin cōnfūsus, past participle of cōnfundō; now equivalent to confuse (a back-formation) + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/confused
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0