Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

caddle

verb
Save Word
cad·​dle | \ ˈkadᵊl \
-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of caddle

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

dialectal : confuse, annoy, tease

intransitive verb

dialectal : putter, loaf, gossip

caddle

noun
\ " \
plural -s

Definition of caddle (Entry 2 of 2)

1 dialectal : confused mess : confusion
2 dialectal : worry, trouble, fuss

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of caddle

Verb

circa 1781, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

circa 1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for caddle

Verb

perhaps alteration of caudle

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about caddle

Time Traveler for caddle

Time Traveler

The first known use of caddle was circa 1781

See more words from the same year

Statistics for caddle

Cite this Entry

“Caddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caddle. Accessed 28 Sep. 2020.

Comments on caddle

What made you want to look up caddle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

abstain

Listen to the pronunciation of abstain

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

  • stylized drawing of woman pole vaulting across gap to get trophy
  • Which is a synonym of fuliginous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games