tangled

[ tang-guh ld ]
/ ˈtæŋ gəld /

adjective

snarled, interlaced, or mixed up: tangled thread.
very complicated, intricate, or involved: tangled bureaucratic procedures.

Origin of tangled

First recorded in 1580–90; tangle1 + -ed2

Definition for tangled (2 of 2)

tangle 1
[ tang-guhl ]
/ ˈtæŋ gəl /

verb (used with object), tan·gled, tan·gling.

verb (used without object), tan·gled, tan·gling.

to be or become tangled.
Informal. to come into conflict; fight or argue: I don't want to tangle with him over the new ruling.

noun

Origin of tangle

1
1300–50; Middle English tangilen, tagilen to entangle < Scandinavian; compare Swedish (dial.) taggla to disarrange

OTHER WORDS FROM tangle

tan·gle·ment, noun tan·gler, noun tan·gly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for tangled

British Dictionary definitions for tangled (1 of 2)

tangle 1
/ (ˈtæŋɡəl) /

noun

a confused or complicated mass of hairs, lines, fibres, etc, knotted or coiled together
a complicated problem, condition, or situation

verb

to become or cause to become twisted together in a confused mass
(intr often foll by with) to come into conflict; contend to tangle with the police
(tr) to involve in matters which hinder or confuse to tangle someone in a shady deal
(tr) to ensnare or trap, as in a net

Derived forms of tangle

tanglement, noun tangler, noun tangly, adjective

Word Origin for tangle

C14 tangilen, variant of tagilen, probably of Scandinavian origin; related to Swedish dialect taggla to entangle

British Dictionary definitions for tangled (2 of 2)

tangle 2

tangle weed

/ (ˈtæŋɡəl) /

noun

alternative names (esp Scot) for oarweed

Word Origin for tangle

C16: of Scandinavian origin: compare Danish tang seaweed