tangled

UK: ˈtæŋɡəld | US: ˈtæŋɡəld

Definition

  1. adj. twisted together in a messy mass; complicated or confused

  2. v. past tense and past participle of tangle (to twist or interweave in a disorderly manner)

Structure
tangle <to twist>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

tangled = tangle<to twist> + ed<past participle suffix>

  • tangle (verb): Derived from Middle English tanglen, likely of Scandinavian origin (e.g., Old Norse þöngull, meaning "seaweed" or "something twisted"). The sense evolved from physical twisting to metaphorical complexity.
  • ed: A common English suffix indicating past tense or participle form.

Etymology Origin:
The word tangle originally described physical intertwining, often of seaweed or threads, reflecting its Norse roots. Over time, it expanded to describe abstract confusion or complexity. The addition of -ed marks its state or action in the past.

Examples

  1. Her hair was tangled after the windy walk.

  2. The wires behind the computer were hopelessly tangled.

  3. He felt trapped in a tangled web of lies.

  4. The plot of the movie was too tangled to follow.

  5. She carefully untangled the necklace chain.