To be frazzled means to feel completely worn out, stressed, and overwhelmed, like your brain has been stretched in too many directions at once. When you're frazzled, you might feel scattered, forgetful, and unable to think clearly. A parent might feel frazzled after a long day of work, cooking dinner, and helping kids with homework all at the same time. A student might become frazzled during a week of big tests when every teacher seems to assign a major project on the same day.

The word captures that specific feeling of mental and physical exhaustion that comes from too much happening too fast. You might notice someone who's frazzled looking disheveled, speaking quickly, or forgetting simple things they'd normally remember. Teachers sometimes talk about the frazzled look on students' faces right before a big performance or presentation.

When something wears you down to this point, you might say it frazzles you, or leaves you frazzled or worn to a frazzle. The word describes that jittery, stressed-out exhaustion where you feel like you need to do everything at once but can barely focus on anything at all.