# confusion

/kənˈfjuʒən/ (US) · /kənfjˈuːʒən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/confusion
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. lack of understanding

noun · CEFR B1

the feeling you have when you do not understand something or when something is not clear.

For teachers: the psychological state of being bewildered or unclear about a situation or information.

- There was some confusion about the new schedule, so many students arrived late.
- The sudden change in policy caused widespread confusion among the staff, as no clear instructions were provided regarding the transition period.

### 2. disorder or mess

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where there is no order and everything is messy or unorganised.

For teachers: a state of disorder, chaos, or lack of systematic arrangement.

- In the confusion after the fire alarm, people forgot to grab their coats.
- The retreat was conducted in utter confusion, with units becoming separated from their commanders in the dense fog.

### 3. mistaking one for another

noun · CEFR B2

the act of thinking one person or thing is actually another.

For teachers: the act of failing to distinguish between two or more different things; a conflation of identities or concepts.

- To avoid confusion, the twins wore different coloured ribbons in their hair.
- The legal dispute arose from a confusion between the two similar brand names, leading consumers to believe the products were from the same company.

### 4. medical disorientation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a medical condition where a person is not sure who they are or where they are.

For teachers: a clinical state of disorientation regarding time, place, or identity, often associated with cognitive decline or acute illness.

- The doctor noted that the patient's confusion was getting worse in the evenings.
- Acute mental confusion in elderly patients can often be a primary symptom of an underlying infection rather than a permanent cognitive decline.

### 5. a group of wildebeest

noun · CEFR C2 · Humorous

the special name for a large group of wildebeest.

For teachers: the collective noun specifically used for a herd of wildebeest.

- We watched a confusion of wildebeest crossing the river during the migration.
- The safari guide pointed out a massive confusion of wildebeest gathering on the plains, preparing for their annual trek northward.

## Examples

- There was some confusion about the time of the meeting.
- The new traffic signs caused a lot of confusion among local drivers during the first week.
- The sudden change in leadership left the department in a state of total confusion, as nobody knew who was responsible for the final budget approvals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.