# fuddle

/ˈfʊdəɫ/ (US) · /fˈʌdəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fuddle
Updated: 2026-09-30

## Definition

to make someone feel confused or unable to think clearly, often because of alcohol or being very tired.

For teachers: to confuse or muddle the mind; to intoxicate mildly. Often used in the passive form to describe a state of mental cloudiness.

## Examples

- The complicated instructions fuddle my brain.
- After hours of staring at the spreadsheets, the numbers began to fuddle his mind and he had to take a break.
- The witness appeared to be fuddled by the barrister's rapid-fire questioning, leading to several contradictory statements during the cross-examination.

## Synonyms

clutter, jumble, muddle, smother, befuddle, drink, booze, confuse, welter

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and often appears as the past participle 'fuddled' to describe a state of confusion.

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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.