Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To confuse or stupefy, especially with alcohol: To make someone mentally unclear or unable to think straight, often as a result of drinking alcohol.
   • To make drunk; to intoxicate: To cause someone to become inebriated by consuming alcoholic drinks.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To drink alcohol, especially to excess: To engage in drinking, often heavily.

3. Noun:

   • A state of confusion or intoxication: A muddled or befuddled condition, typically resulting from drinking.
   • A bout of heavy drinking: An instance of consuming a large amount of alcohol.

Usage Examples

• Verb (transitive):
  • The complex instructions completely fuddled the new recruits.
  • He was fuddled by three glasses of strong whiskey and couldn't remember his address.
• Verb (intransitive):
  • They spent the evening fuddling at the local pub.
• Noun:
  • After the party, he was in a complete fuddle, unable to find his keys.
  • They went on a fuddle to celebrate the end of exams.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in a fuddle": To be in a state of confusion or mild intoxication.
  • She was in a fuddle after the long meeting and took a wrong turn.
• "To fuddle one's brains": To confuse one's mind or thinking.
  • All these different theories are starting to fuddle my brains.

Variants and Related Words

• Befuddle (verb): To confuse thoroughly; to stupefy. (A close synonym, often used interchangeably).
• Fuddled (adjective): Describing a state of being confused or muddled, especially from drink.
  • He gave a fuddled response to a simple question.

Synonyms

• Confuse: To make someone unable to think clearly or understand.
• Befuddle: To confuse or perplex.
• Intoxicate: To make drunk; to inebriate.
• Muddle: To bring into a disordered or confusing state.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically contained within the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "In a fuddle": In a confused or disoriented state.
  • The sudden change of plans left everyone in a fuddle.

Noun

1. a confused multitude of things

Verb

1. be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
   • These questions confuse even the experts
   • This question completely threw me
   • This question befuddled even the teacher
2. consume alcohol
   • We were up drinking all night
3. make stupid with alcohol