Tangle Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

To tangle means to twist things together so that they are difficult to separate, like hair or string. It can also refer to a confusing or complicated situation.

Usage & Nuances

Usually refers to physical things like hair, string, or wires, but can be used metaphorically for complicated situations ('a legal tangle'). Common with 'get', 'be', or 'in a tangle'. Informal. Do not confuse with 'entangle', which is more formal.

• Spanish: enredar - enredo (cabello, cuerdas) - enredo (situación problemática)
• Portuguese (BR): embaraçar - emaranhado (cabelo, fios) - confusão (situação)
• Portuguese (PT): embaraçar - emaranhado (cabelo, fios) - confusão (situação)
• Chinese (Simplified): 缠结 - 纠缠 (局面)
• Chinese (Traditional): 糾結 - 纏繞 (局面)
• Hindi: उलझना - उलझाव (बाल, डोरी, स्थिति)
• Arabic: يتشابك - تشابك (شعر أو حبال) - مأزق (وضع معقّد)
• Bengali: জট - গুলিয়ে ফেলা
• Russian: спутывать - запутывать - путаница
• Japanese: もつれ - 絡まる
• Vietnamese: rối - vướng
• Korean: 엉키다 - 얽히다
• Turkish: dolaşmak - karışıklık
• Urdu: الجھنا - الجھاؤ
• Indonesian: kusut - kusutkan

Example Sentences

I got into a real tangle with the tax paperwork.

natural

My headphones always tangle in my pocket.

basic

Don't tangle the ropes.

basic

Her hair was in a tangle after she woke up.

basic

Kids love to tangle their shoelaces when they're bored.

natural

We shouldn't tangle with that issue right now—it’s too complicated.

natural