con·fu·sion /kənˈfjuːʒən/ ●●○ S3 W3 noun 1 CONFUSED[countableC, uncountableU] when you do not understand what is happening or what something means because it is not clear 困惑,不确定,混乱confusion about/over/as to There was some confusion as to whether we had won or lost. 我们究竟是赢是输,情况不太清楚。
create/lead to confusion The diversion led to considerable confusion. 这次改道造成了相当大的混乱。
2 CONFUSED[countableC, uncountableU] a situation in which someone wrongly thinks that a person or thing is someone or something else 辨别不清;混淆,错认 To avoid confusion, the teams wore different colours. 为了避免混淆,各队穿着不同颜色的服装。
confusion between There is a confusion in the public mind between psychology and psychiatry. 大众往往会把心理学和精神病学混为一谈。
3 CONFUSED[uncountableU] a feeling of not being able to think clearly about what you should say or do, especially in an embarrassing situation 慌乱;窘迫 His confusion at meeting her there was quite apparent. 在那里和她不期而遇,他明显有些不知所措。
in confusion Matt stared at her in confusion. 马特困窘地盯着她。
4 DISORGANIZED[countableC, uncountableU] a very confusing situation, that usually has a lot of noise and action, so that it is difficult for someone to understand it or control it 混乱,骚乱 SYN chaos a scene of indescribable confusion 难以形容的混乱场面
confusion of There was a confusion of shouts and orders as the ship prepared to depart. 船准备起航了,呼喊声和命令声乱成一片。
n COLLOCATIONSverbscause/create confusionEnglish spelling often causes confusion for learners.
lead to/result in confusionThe differing instructions led to confusion.
add to the confusion (=make something more confusing)There were a lot of rumours, which added to the confusion.
throw/plunge somebody into confusionThe unexpected news threw us all into confusion.
clear up the confusion (=explain something more clearly)The chairman said that he would try to clear up the confusion.
confusion arises (=begins)The confusion arose because of a complete misunderstanding.
adjectivesgreat confusionWe looked at each other in great confusion.
complete/total/utter confusionCandy's eyes showed her total confusion.
considerable confusionThe movie jumps backwards and forwards in time, which causes considerable confusion.
general confusionThere was general confusion about the effects of the new law.
mental confusionMental confusion is one of the symptoms of the disease.
phrasesa state of confusionPeople were in a state of confusion and close to panic.
(in order) to avoid confusionDoctors should explain their instructions to patients carefully, to avoid any confusion.
confusion between• Dan says there has been a lot of confusion between his name and his brother Don's. in confusion• Terri stopped in confusion as everyone turned to look at her.