/ ˈklʌtə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
[ vn ] clutter sth (up) (with sth/sb) to fill a place with too many things, so that it is untidy :
Don't clutter the page with too many diagrams.
I don't want all these files cluttering up my desk.
( figurative )
Try not to clutter your head with trivia.
■ noun
[ U , sing. ] ( disapproving ) a lot of things in an untidy state, especially things that are not necessary or are not being used; a state of confusion
SYN mess :
There's always so much clutter on your desk!
There was a clutter of bottles and tubes on the shelf.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : variant of dialect clotter to clot , influenced by cluster and clatter .