tangle

Pronunciation: /ˈtæŋɡəl/ (IPA), TANG-guhl (American)

Origin: Middle English, from Old Norse þǫngull meaning "seaweed"

Part of Speech: noun, verb

Meanings:

1. (noun) A confused mass of intertwined or interlaced threads, hair, or other flexible materials
2. (noun) A complicated or confused state or situation
3. (verb) To become twisted together or intertwined in a confusing mass
4. (verb) To involve in a difficult or complicated situation

Example Sentences:

1. The cat played with a tangle of yarn.
2. His hair was a wild tangle after the windy day.
3. The headphones always seem to tangle in my pocket.
4. The investigation tangled the politician in a web of lies.

Related Words:

• Different forms: tangles (plural), tangled (past tense), tangling (present participle)
• Synonyms: knot, snarl, muddle, jumble, entangle, complicate

Memorizable Tricks:

• Think of "tangle" as "T-angle," where multiple angles or lines intersect and twist together.
• Visualize a tangled mess of Christmas lights to remember both the noun and verb meanings.
• Associate the word with the phrase "It's a tangled web we weave," referring to complicated situations.