# muddle

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈmʌdl̩/ · frequency rank #37,582

## Definitions
1. To mix together, to mix up; to confuse.
2. To mash slightly for use in a cocktail.
3. To dabble in mud.
4. To make turbid or muddy.
5. To think and act in a confused, aimless way.
6. To cloud or stupefy; to render stupid with liquor; to intoxicate partially.
7. To waste or misuse, as one does who is stupid or intoxicated.

## Etymology
From Middle English modelen (attested in present participle modeland (“wallowing”)), from Middle Dutch moddelen (“to make muddy”), from modde, mod (“mud”) (Modern Dutch modder). By surface analysis, mud + -le. Compare German Kuddelmuddel.

## Easily confused with
- **mule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-mule)
- **muddy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-muddy)
- **muscle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-muscle)
- **muzzle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-muzzle)
- **mumble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-mumble)
- **muddled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-muddled)
- **mudd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mudd-vs-muddle)
- **middle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/middle-vs-muddle)
- **module** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/module-vs-muddle)
- **Maddie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maddie-vs-muddle)
- **meddle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/meddle-vs-muddle)

## Common misspellings (7)
`mdudle`, `mmuddle`, `muddel`, `muddlle`, `mudlde`, `mudle`, `umddle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/muddle