ADDLE Definition & Meaning

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addle

[ ad-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with or without object)

addled, addling.

to make or become confused.
to make or become rotten, as eggs.

adjective

mentally confused; muddled.
rotten ( def 1 ):
addle eggs.

addle

/ ˈæ��ə�� /

verb

to make or become confused or muddled
to make or become rotten

adjective

in combination indicating a confused or muddled state
addle-brained
addle-pated

addle

/ ˈæ��ə�� /

verb

dialect.
to earn (money or one's living)

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��·�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of addle¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English adel “r�ǳٳٱ��,” Old English adela “liquid, filth”; cognate with Middle Low German adele “liquid manure”

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of addle¹

C18: (vb), back formation from addled, from c13 addle rotten, from Old English adela filth; related to dialect German Addel liquid manure

Origin of addle²

C13: addlen, from Old Norse ö�ٳ�� to gain possession of property, from ō�ٳ󲹱� property

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Trump, addled as he is, still understands that it's unwise to alienate his largely elderly base by attacking two popular programs they depend on.

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The boys are working with no supervision other than Musk and a handful of henchmen, allegedly under the authority of the addled president who spends his days screaming at clouds.

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But, like every addled maniac, his hatred lacks focus.

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After delivering a rousing State of the Union address in March, Biden showed up for his June debate with Trump so addled that the party backlash forced him from the ticket.

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He was always a bad leader, but he's increasingly old and addled, making keeping his party in line even harder.

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