imbroglio

UK: /ɪmˈbrəʊlɪˌəʊ/ US: /ɪmˈbroʊljoʊ/ ,(im brōl′yō)

Inflections of 'imbroglio' (n): npl: imbroglios

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

im•bro•glio /ɪmˈbroʊlyoʊ/   n. [countable] , pl. -glios. 

1. a bitter, complicated disagreement:
   embroiled in an imbroglio.
2. a complicated and perplexing state of affairs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

im•bro•glio  (im brōl′yō), n., pl. -glios. 

1. a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.
2. an intricate and perplexing state of affairs;
   a complicated or difficult situation.
3. a confused heap.

Also, embroglio. 

• Italian, derivative of imbrogliare to embroil
• 1740–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

imbroglio / ɪmˈbrəʊlɪˌəʊ/ noun ( -glios)

1. a confused or perplexing political or interpersonal situation
2. a confused heap; jumble

Etymology: 18th Century: from Italian, from imbrogliare to confuse, embroil