# tangle

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈtæŋ.ɡl̩/ · frequency rank #25,610

## Definitions
1. To mix together or intertwine.
2. To become mixed together or intertwined.
3. To enter into an argument, conflict, dispute, or fight.
4. To catch and hold.

## Etymology
From Middle English tanglen, probably of North Germanic origin, compare Swedish taggla (“to disorder”), Old Norse þǫngull, þang (“tangle; seaweed”), see Etymology 2 below.

## Easily confused with
- **tango** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-tango)
- **tinge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-tinge)
- **tangy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-tangy)
- **tongue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-tongue)
- **toggle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-toggle)
- **tingle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-tingle)
- **tangled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-tangled)
- **triangle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangle-vs-triangle)
- **tale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tale-vs-tangle)
- **tang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tang-vs-tangle)
- **table** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/table-vs-tangle)
- **tackle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tackle-vs-tangle)
- **tangier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangier-vs-tangle)
- **tangible** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tangible-vs-tangle)

## Common misspellings (9)
`atngle`, `tagnle`, `tangel`, `tanggle`, `tanglle`, `tanlge`, `tanngle`, `tnagle`, `ttangle`

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