Word of the Day: Tangle
To tangle something is to mess it up or create a situation that is difficult to undo.
- When people go fishing, sometimes their fishing line gets tangled.
- String can easily become tangled if it’s not wrapped around something such as a ball.
- Yarn is easily tangled. (This sentence is in the passive voice and in the present tense.)
- Whenever I put my Christmas lights up or take them down, the strings of lights always get tangled.
- The lights become a tangled mess. (The word “tangled” is an adjective.)
- Hair can easily tangle if it isn’t combed of brushed.
- Flies become tangled in a spider web and are unable to escape.
The word “tangle” can be used figuratively when describing situations of deep involvement:
- Rodney became tangled up in gang activity and was arrested by the police.
- Many people resist getting tangled up in politics.
- Don’t tangle with wild animals. You will probably get hurt. (tangle with = fight or tease)
- It’s not smart to tangle with the police because they have guns and tasers.
The word “tangle” can also be used as a noun:
- This shampoo claims to reduce tangles.
- Sophia’s mother uses a special brush to remove the tangles from her daughter’s hair.
- Todd got into a tangle with the police.
- I had to undo a tangle of knots on my children’s shoes.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with T page to see the list of all words starting with letter T. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
