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Baffle: meaning, definitions and examples

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baffle

 

[ˈbæf.əl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

confuse

To baffle means to confuse or perplex someone, making them unable to understand or figure out something.

Synonyms

bewilder, confound, puzzle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
baffle

Use in situations where someone is perplexed or cannot understand something at all. It often implies a higher level of confusion.

  • The complex instructions completely baffled me
  • His sudden resignation baffles everyone in the office
confound

Best used to describe a mix of confusion and surprise, where something unexpected challenges what was previously understood.

  • The magician's trick confounded the audience
  • The results of the experiment confounded the scientists
bewilder

Used when someone is very confused or surprised, often due to an overwhelming amount of information or unexpected circumstances.

  • The sudden change in weather bewildered the hikers
  • The student's strange question bewildered the teacher
puzzle

Use when something is confusing or difficult to understand, but often in a way that suggests curiosity and a need to solve or figure out the issue.

  • The strange footprint on the beach really puzzled me
  • She was puzzled by the cryptic message on the wall

Examples of usage

  • He was baffled by the complicated instructions.
  • The unexpected turn of events baffled everyone in the room.
Context #2 | Noun

device

A baffle can also refer to a device or barrier used to control the flow of a fluid, gas, or sound.

Synonyms

barrier, block, obstacle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
baffle

Use this word when you want to describe a situation where someone is totally confused or unable to understand something.

  • The complex math problem baffled the students.
  • Her sudden change in behavior baffled everyone.
barrier

This word is useful when talking about physical objects or situations that impede progress or access.

  • The language barrier made communication difficult.
  • The protesters built a barrier to block the road.
obstacle

Use this word to describe something that stands in the way of progress, but typically not something that completely stops it, often implying that it can be overcome.

  • Training is essential to overcome these obstacles.
  • The athlete faced many obstacles during his career.
block

This word typically describes something that stops progress or prevents motion. It can refer to both physical and metaphorical situations.

  • There was a large block in the road after the landslide.
  • His anxiety seemed to block him from making decisions.

Examples of usage

  • The baffle in the exhaust system helps reduce noise pollution.
  • The baffle in the water tank prevents splashing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the early 16th-century English term 'baff,' which meant to confuse or baffle.
  • It may also relate to the old French word 'bafler,' meaning 'to blow' or 'to puff away,' suggesting a sense of perplexing movement.
  • In the 19th century, 'baffle' started being used in slang to denote being fooled or tricked.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance occurs when people encounter information that contradicts their beliefs, leading to a baffling experience.
  • Research shows that puzzles can increase dopamine levels in the brain, creating a pleasurable form of confusion.
  • Bafflement can trigger emotional responses such as frustration or curiosity, influencing how we learn and solve problems.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, characters often become baffled when facing unexpected plot twists or mysterious situations.
  • The TV game show 'Puzzle Master' is based on riddles that purposely baffle contestants to test their wits.
  • The phrase 'baffle them with brilliance' suggests confusing opponents with unexpected cleverness.

Literature

  • Authors like Agatha Christie have often used baffling plot twists to keep readers guessing until the final reveal.
  • In poetry, ambiguous language can baffle readers, inviting them to interpret meanings in various ways.
  • The use of irony in literature can leave readers in a state of bafflement regarding the author's true intentions.

Science

  • In physics, the concept of quantum entanglement baffles even the brightest minds, challenging our understanding of reality.
  • The duality of light—acting as both a particle and a wave—baffles scientists and has led to breakthrough discoveries.
  • Natural phenomena, like the Bermuda Triangle, baffle researchers due to their mysterious and unexplained characteristics.

Translations

Translations of the word "baffle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confundir

🇮🇳 चकराना

🇩🇪 verwirren

🇮🇩 membingungkan

🇺🇦 збивати з пантелику

🇵🇱 zdezorientować

🇯🇵 困惑させる (konwaku saseru)

🇫🇷 déconcerter

🇪🇸 desconcertar

🇹🇷 şaşırtmak

🇰🇷 혼란스럽게 하다 (honlanseureobge hada)

🇸🇦 أربك (arbak)

🇨🇿 zmást

🇸🇰 zmiasť

🇨🇳 使困惑 (shǐ kùnhuò)

🇸🇮 zmediti

🇮🇸 rugla

🇰🇿 шатастыру

🇬🇪 დაბნევა (dabneva)

🇦🇿 çaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 desconcertar

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,341, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.