muddled

Everyday

1. Muddled means confused and not thinking clearly. tree →
2. Muddled means mixed up and untidy, in the wrong order. tree →
3. It is the past form of the verb «muddle»: to mix things up or confuse them. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, a muddled answer has steps in the wrong order; teachers ask for clear working. In stories, a muddled character is confused, perhaps tired, old or scared. Phrases: «get muddled», «muddled up», «muddled thinking», «muddle through» (manage somehow).

Examples

• I got muddled and added instead of taking away. tree →
• The papers were all muddled up on the floor. tree →
• Grandpa gets a bit muddled about names. tree →
• Her story was muddled and hard to follow. tree →
• He muddled the twins up again. tree →
• After the long trip I felt tired and muddled. tree →
• We muddled through the quiz without our best player. tree →
• And the Cat sat down to the loom, and worked away; muddled everything about, if it didn't do much weaving. tree →

Note

Verb: muddle, muddled, muddling. Noun: a muddle (a mess or confusion: «in a muddle»). Mostly British; Americans also say «mixed up». Not the same as «muddy» (covered in mud).