confused
/kənˈfjuːzd/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈfjuːzd/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈfyüzd/ (ame, mw)
confused — adjective
- confusedpositive
- more confusedcomparative
- most confusedsuperlative
1. not able to think in a clear way, so that following what is happening around you
not able to think in a clear way, so that following what is happening around you or understanding what people tell you becomes hard
Karim looked confused when the teacher asked him to explain his answer.
looked confused — linking verb + adjective describing a person
The badly written sign left many passengers confused about which gate to use.
Niran grew confused as the professor jumped between topics without any pause.
Felix gave a confused answer that showed he had not read the question properly.
- puzzled
milder, often about a single question or riddle
- bewildered
stronger surprise mixed with confusion
- perplexed
slightly more formal; suggests deep mental difficulty
- clear-headed
able to think clearly and logically
文法句型
be/feel/look/sound + confused
confused + about/by + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person. The cause of confusion is introduced by "about" or "by". Can also be used attributively (e.g., "a confused look").
常見錯誤
2. not arranged in a clear or logical way; messy or mixed up so that it is difficul
not arranged in a clear or logical way; messy or mixed up so that it is difficult to understand or follow
The email was so confused that nobody could tell what the manager wanted.
so confused that — intensifier pattern for things
Gabriela's notes were a confused mess of crossed-out words and arrows pointing everywhere.
The timeline in his story was confused, jumping between different years without any warning.
A confused noise of voices and footsteps came from the hallway outside the meeting room.
- unclear
more general; suggests lack of clarity rather than disorganisation
- muddled
suggests things are jumbled together in a messy way
- disordered
more formal; emphasises lack of proper arrangement
文法句型
confused + noun (confused thoughts/plot/signals)
be + confused (describing a thing)
用法筆記
In this sense the subject is a thing (a message, situation, arrangement, set of facts), not a person. Compare: "a confused explanation" (unclear) vs "a confused student" (unable to understand).
常見錯誤
3. unable to think clearly about where you are, what time it is, or who you are, es
unable to think clearly about where you are, what time it is, or who you are, especially because of illness, injury, or a shock
After the crash, Antonia was confused and could not tell the nurse her address.
confused about place — disorientation sense
Takeshi became confused when the nurse changed his usual medication to a new one.
Waking up in a different time zone left Heloísa confused about the day.
When the lights went out, the children looked confused in the sudden darkness.
- disoriented
slightly more formal; specifically means lost in time or place
- dazed
suggests shock or a blow to the head; temporary
- bewildered
strong sense of being lost, but more about a confusing situation than time/place
- oriented
aware of where you are, what time it is, and who you are
文法句型
be/become/get + confused
confused + about + time / place / who someone is
用法筆記
Often used in medical or emergency contexts. The disorientation can be temporary (caused by shock, drugs, or travel) or ongoing (caused by dementia or brain injury). Frequently followed by "about" to specify what aspect is lost (time, place, or identity).