# muddle

/ˈmədəɫ/ (US) · /mˈʌdəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/muddle
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a state of confusion or a lack of order. You use this when things are messy or when someone is not thinking clearly.

For teachers: a state of confusion, disorder, or mental disorientation. Often implies a lack of systematic arrangement or a failure to understand a situation clearly.

## Examples

- The paperwork is in a complete muddle.
- The schedule got into a terrible muddle after three different people tried to change the meeting times.
- The legal proceedings descended into a bureaucratic muddle, with conflicting testimonies and missing evidence making a clear verdict nearly impossible to reach.

## Usage notes

- Commonly appears in the phrase 'in a muddle' or 'get into a muddle'.

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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.