Befuddle

/bɪˈfʌdəl/ verb

Definition

to confuse someone completely; to make someone unable to think clearly or understand something.

Etymology

From be- + fuddle (to confuse or stupefy). Fuddle may come from Old English 'fud' (foolish) or relate to getting drunk. First recorded use around 1600s.

Kelly Says

Befuddle is one of the few be- words that's actually common today—it perfectly captures that feeling of being so confused you can't think straight, especially when you've had too much to drink.

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