verb
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tangle
TANG-guhl
Tangle (verb) means to twist together into a knotted, confused mass. Example: “Her hair tangled badly in the wind.”
verb
1
To twist together into a knotted, confused mass.
"Her hair tangled badly in the wind."
"The fishing lines tangled together in the tackle box."
2
To get into a fight, argument, or dispute with someone.
"He didn't want to tangle with his boss over the schedule."
noun
1
A twisted, knotted mass, or a confused, complicated situation.
"She spent an hour combing out the tangle in her hair."
"The contract turned into a legal tangle."
How to use tangle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo twist into a knotted mess, or to get caught up in a dispute — also used as a noun for the resulting knot or mess.
Common pairings
tangle with someone
a tangle of wires
get tangled up
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Word forms
- Plural
- tangles
- Third person singular
- tangles
- Past tense
- tangled
Fill the gap
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Her hair _____ badly in the wind.
Etymology
From Middle English tanglen, likely of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse words for seaweed and disorder.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for tangle
See all rhymes for tangle →Frequently asked questions
What does “tangle” mean?
The word “tangle” means to twist together into a knotted, confused mass. In plain terms, to twist into a knotted mess, or to get caught up in a dispute — also used as a noun for the resulting knot or mess.
How do you pronounce “tangle”?
“Tangle” is pronounced TANG-guhl (/ˈteɪ̯ŋɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tangle” in a sentence?
Here is “tangle” used in a sentence: “Her hair tangled badly in the wind.”
What is another word for “tangle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tangle” include enmesh, ensnare, entangle, ensnarl, foul and implicate.
What is the opposite of “tangle”?
The opposite of “tangle” — its antonyms — is untangle.
What part of speech is “tangle”?
Depending on how it is used, “tangle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tangle” come from?
The word “tangle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tanglen, likely of North Germanic origin, related to Old Norse words for seaweed and disorder.
How many meanings does “tangle” have?
“Tangle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to twist together into a knotted, confused mass.
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