Phrase guide

rat's nest

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Something that is excessively complicated, entangled, or disorderly (either physically or metaphorically).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • rat's nest of a wiring harness

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mare's nest

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Something that is excessively complicated, entangled, or disorderly (either physically or metaphorically).

A software or hardware system whose design lacks organized structure, making it difficult to understand and maintain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • 2016 July 2, veryatlantic, "Saturday, July 2, 2016: Addendum," Tales From The Trailer CourtTM (retrieved 2 March 2017):
  • Think of libraries as the way the sub-idiots who like C code hide all the rat's-nest programming they don't want you to see.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mare's nest

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.