ENGLISH
REFERENCE

confused

adj.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //kənˈfjuzd// UK //kənfjˈuːzd// con·fused General-service

adj. unable to think clearly or understand what is happening. You feel this way when something is too complicated or not explained well.

adj. lacking clarity of mind or failing to distinguish between different elements. Often functions as a participial adjective describing a mental state of disorientation.


SIMPLE

I am confused about the new schedule.

CONTEXTUAL

The students looked confused after the teacher explained the complex math problem without using any examples.

COMPLEX

Even the most experienced navigators became confused when the thick fog obscured the familiar landmarks along the coastline.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

Commonly followed by the prepositions 'about', 'by', or 'as to'.

Pitfall

The book is very confused.The book is very confusing.Learners often swap the -ed ending (how you feel) with the -ing ending (the thing that causes the feeling).

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