Baffle: meaning, definitions and examples

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baffle

 

[ ˈbæf.əl ]

Verb / Noun
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.

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

Etymology

The word 'baffle' originated from the Middle French word 'bafouer', meaning to disgrace or cheat. Over time, its meaning evolved to include the idea of confusing or perplexing someone. The use of 'baffle' in the sense of a device or barrier can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it was used in engineering contexts to describe a component that controls the flow of fluids or sound.

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.