tangle
ˈtæŋɡəl
tangle: twisted mass of things intertwined
Images
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of tangle - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
physical masstwisted mass of things intertwined
  • The wires formed a tangle behind the desk.
knot snarl
2.
conflictargument or conflict
  • They got into a tangle over the rules.
dispute quarrel
3.
confusioncomplicated or confused situation
  • She found herself in a legal tangle.
confusion mess
4.
medicalTECH.helical fragment in nerve cellsTECH.
  • The doctor examined the tau tangle.
complication knot snarl

Verb

1.
physical objectstr./intr.mix or twist together into a confused masstr./intr.
  • She tangled the wires behind the TV.
entangle intertwine snarl
2.
involve confusiontr.involve in a confusing or complicated situationtr.
  • He managed to tangle himself in a web of lies..
embroil entangle
3.
conflictintr.Rareenter into an argument or conflictintr.Rare
  • They often tangle over politics.
argue clash fight
Add a suggestion |

Images of tangle

  • tangle: twisted mass of things intertwined
    twisted mass of things intertwined

Expressions with tangle

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
twisted together in a messy way
His hair was in a tangle after the wind.
cause something to become twisted together
She managed to tangle up the wires.
become caught or twisted in something messy
My headphones always get into a tangle in my bag.
engage in a conflict or dispute
She often tangles with her brother over chores.
became twisted or caught together in a messy way
We got into a tangle with the fishing lines.
become involved in a confusing situation
He got in a tangle with his homework last night.

Origin of tangle

Old English, tangol (entangle)

Terms with tangle included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
matv.
grooming
tangle or entangle into a thick mass
tangle
become entangled or complicated
tangled cords
knot or tangle difficult to untie
tangle
become tangled or knotted
tangle
tangled clump of hair or fibers
tangle
entangle threads or fibers confusedly
physical
tangle or catch in a net-like structure
tangle
become tangled or twisted

Examples of tangle in a sentence

  • The garden hose was in a hopeless tangle.
  • The tangle between the two departments delayed the project.
  • A tangle arose during the negotiations, causing tension.
  • The project turned into a bureaucratic tangle.
  • His emotions were in a tangle after the news.
  • The scientist studied the brain tangle under the microscope.

View all translations of tangle

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:enchevêtrement, emmêler, ...
  2. German:Gewirr, verwirren, ...
  3. Italian:groviglio, aggrovigliare, ...
  4. Spanish:enredo, enredar, ...
  5. Portuguese:emaranhado, enrolar, ...
  6. Chinese:缠结, 缠绕, ...
  7. Japanese:絡まり, 絡ませる, ...
  8. Arabic:كَتْلَة مُتَشَابِكَة, شَبَّكَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:סְבַךְ, לְסַבֵּךְ, ...
  10. Russian:спутанный клубок, запутывать, ...
  11. Ukrainian:клубок, заплутати, ...
  12. Hindi:उलझाव, उलझाना, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “t”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery