Words / B2

KLUT-uh/ˈklʌtə/

Clutter is a messy collection of things; as a verb, to fill a space with that mess (noun often uncountable): visual clutter; clutter the appendix. Mess is everyday; junk is worthless stuff. Do not clutter the appendix with unread printouts. Mix-up: cluster; clatter. Do not write “a clutter” for a filed archive.

Meaning

A messy collection of things; as a verb, to fill a space with that mess (often uncountable as a noun).

Examples

• “Do not clutter the appendix with unread printouts, the handbook said.”
• “Visual clutter on the slide hid the n, which is the messy-display sense.”

Good to know

clutter + noun; clutter up; visual clutter. Everyday: mess. Trap: cluster / clatter. Exams, design, and ICT. Messy stuff filling a space, not a catalogue.

Near in meaning

mess

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