flabbergast

verb
/ˈflæbə(ˌ)ɡɑːst/UK/ˈflæbɚˌɡæst/US

Etymology

The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”). The noun is derived from the verb.

Definitions

  1. To overwhelm with bewilderment

    To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner.

    • He was flabbergasted to find that his work had been done for him before he began.
    • Her stupidity flabbergasts me, and I have to force myself to keep a straight face while she explains her beliefs.
    • The oddity of the situation was so flabbergasting I couldn’t react in time for anyone to see it.
  2. An awkward person.

  3. Overwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise.

    • His flabbergast was so great he couldn’t even come up with a plausible answer.
    • Her foibles were flattery, fine feeling, and flabergast; and if not old enough to be his mother, sufficiently so to be a young aunt.
    • Then quit your flabbergast, and talk in plain English.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for flabbergast. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA