confuse
Etymology

Back formation from Middle English confused, from Anglo-Norman confus, from Latin confusus, past participle of confundō.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /kənˈfjuːz/
Verb

confuse (confuses, present participle confusing; simple past and past participle confused)

  1. (transitive) to puzzle, perplex, baffle, bewilder somebody; to afflict by being complicated, contradictory, or otherwise difficult to understand
    It confused me when I went to the office and nobody was there, but then I realised it was Sunday.
  2. (transitive) To mix up, muddle up one thing with another; to mistake one thing for another.
    People who say "hola" to Italians are confusing Italian with Spanish.
  3. (transitive) To mix thoroughly; to confound; to disorder.
  4. (transitive, dated) To make uneasy and ashamed; to embarrass.
  5. (transitive, obsolete) To rout; discomfit.
  6. (intransitive) To be confused.
Synonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations


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