Dictionary
confusion
noun con·fu·sion \kən-ˈfyü-zhən\
: a situation in which people are uncertain about what to do or are unable to understand something clearly
: the feeling that you have when you do not understand what is happening, what is expected, etc.
: a state or situation in which many things are happening in a way that is not controlled or orderly
Full Definition of CONFUSION
1
: an act or instance of confusing <confusion of the issue>
2
a : the quality or state of being confused <try to relieve their confusion> b : a confused mass or mixture <a confusion of voices>
— con·fu·sion·al \-ˈfyüzh-nəl, -ˈfyü-zhə-nəl\ adjective
See confusion defined for English-language learners
See confusion defined for kids
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First Known Use of CONFUSION
14th century
Related to CONFUSION
- Synonyms
- bafflement, bamboozlement, befuddlement, bemusement, bewilderedness, bewilderment, confusedness, discombobulation, distraction, fog, head-scratching, maze [chiefly dialect], muddle, mystification, perplexity, puzzlement, tangle, whirl
- Antonyms
- order, orderliness
Rhymes with CONFUSION
affusion, allusion, Carthusian, collusion, conclusion, contusion, delusion, diffusion, effusion, elusion, exclusion, extrusion, illusion, inclusion, infusion, intrusion, Malthusian, obtrusion, occlusion, perfusion, prelusion, profusion, prolusion, protrusion, reclusion, seclusion, transfusion, Venusian
CONFUSION Defined for Kids
confusion
noun con·fu·sion \kən-ˈfyü-zhən\
Definition of CONFUSION for Kids
1
: difficulty in understanding or in being able to tell one thing from a similar thing
2
: a feeling or state of uncertainty
Word Root of CONFUSION
The Latin word fundere, meaning “to pour,” and its form fūsus give us the roots fund and fus. Words from the Latin fundere have something to do with pouring. To refund is to pour someone's money back to her or him. Confusion exists when too many things are poured together so that they become uncertain and unclear. A profusion is a great quantity that seems to have been poured forth from a plentiful supply.
Medical Dictionary
confusion
noun con·fu·sion \kən-ˈfyü-zhən\
Medical Definition of CONFUSION
: disturbance of consciousness characterized by inability to engage in orderly thought or by lack of power to distinguish, choose, or act decisively
—con·fu·sion·al \-zhnəl, -zhən-əl\ adjective
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