baffled — completely confused or puzzled; unable to understand
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: completely confused or puzzled; unable to understand
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbæfəld/
Example Sentences
- I was completely baffled when my cat started barking like a dog.
- The math problem left all students baffled.
- Even Einstein would be baffled by my grandmother's smartphone password system.
baffled
ADJECTIVE[/ˈbæfəld/]
completely confused or puzzled; unable to understand

Completely confused and puzzled

They scuffled where prizes were raffled, leaving the detective baffled!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from 16th-century Scottish English, originally meaning 'to publicly disgrace or mock,' the word evolved over time to denote 'to confuse or perplex.' The semantic shift reflects the idea of causing someone to become lost, as if trapped in a labyrinth.
Breakdown
baffle (to confuse, perplex) + -ed (past participle suffix indicating completed action or state)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I was completely baffled when my cat started barking like a dog.”
“The math problem left all students baffled.”
“Even Einstein would be baffled by my grandmother's smartphone password system.”
“The police remained baffled by the crime scene evidence.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.