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baffling

baf·fle
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [baf-uh l]
    • /ˈbæf əl/
    • /ˈbæf.l̩/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [baf-uh l]
    • /ˈbæf əl/

Definitions of baffling word

  • adjective baffling impossible to understand; perplexing; bewildering; puzzling 3
  • verb with object baffling to confuse, bewilder, or perplex: He was baffled by the technical language of the instructions. 1
  • verb with object baffling to frustrate or confound; thwart by creating confusion or bewilderment. 1
  • verb with object baffling to check or deflect the movement of (sound, light, fluids, etc.). 1
  • verb with object baffling to equip with a baffle or baffles. 1
  • verb with object baffling Obsolete. to cheat; trick. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of baffling

First appearance:

before 1540
One of the 30% oldest English words
1540-50; 1910-15 for def 8; perhaps < Scots bauchle to disgrace, treat with contempt, equivalent to bauch (see baff) + -le

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Baffling

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

baffling popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

baffling usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for baffling

adj baffling

  • mystifying — to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.
  • perplexing — to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me.
  • unfathomable — not able to be fathomed, or completely understood; incomprehensible: heroism in the face of unfathomable conflict.
  • incomprehensible — impossible to understand or comprehend; unintelligible.
  • confusing — Something that is confusing makes it difficult for people to know exactly what is happening or what to do.

adjective baffling

  • puzzling — confusing or baffling: a puzzling answer.
  • mysterious — full of, characterized by, or involving mystery: a mysterious occurrence.
  • strange — unusual, extraordinary, or curious; odd; queer: a strange remark to make.
  • unexplained — to make plain or clear; render understandable or intelligible: to explain an obscure point. Synonyms: explicate. Antonyms: confuse.
  • inexplicable — not explicable; incapable of being accounted for or explained.

Antonyms for baffling

adj baffling

  • comprehensible — Something that is comprehensible can be understood.
  • fathomable — a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in nautical measurements. Abbreviation: fath.
  • clear — Something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear.

adjective baffling

  • obvious — easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident: an obvious advantage.

Top questions with baffling

  • what does baffling mean?
  • what is the meaning of baffling?
  • what is baffling?

See also

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