ADDLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does addle mean? 

• ADDLE (verb)
  The verb ADDLE has 2 senses:

1. mix up or confuse

2. become rotten

  Familiarity information: ADDLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ADDLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they addle    ... he / she / it addles   
Past simple: addled   
Past participle: addled   
-ing form: addling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Mix up or confuse

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

addle; muddle; puddle

Context example:

He muddled the issues

Hypernyms (to "addle" is one way to...):

confuse; jumble; mix up (assemble without order or sense)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Become rotten

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

addled eggs

Hypernyms (to "addle" is one way to...):

go bad; spoil (become unfit for consumption or use)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

And, as to hopes of a glorious resurrection, I've often heard him say masel' that he hoped he'd go to hell, for his mother was so pious that she'd be sure to go to heaven, an' he didn't want to addle where she was.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)