Baffling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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baffling
[ˈbæfəlɪŋ ]
Definitions
puzzling
Causing someone to feel completely puzzled or confused; perplexing.
Synonyms
bewildering, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling.
Examples of usage
- He gave me a baffling look that made me question whether he understood what I was saying.
- The baffling mystery of the missing keys left everyone in the office scratching their heads.
frustration
To frustrate or thwart someone by being too hard to understand or solve.
Synonyms
confound, flummox, frustrate, puzzle, stump.
Examples of usage
- The complex riddle baffled even the brightest minds in the room.
- Her cryptic message baffled her friends, who struggled to decipher its meaning.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- When faced with baffling situations, the brain can produce stress hormones that affect our ability to think clearly.
- People are more likely to find situations baffling when they lack information or understanding about a topic.
Pop Culture
- Baffling puzzles and mysteries are common themes in movies and books, often making the story more engaging.
- Famous mystery writers like Agatha Christie used baffling twists to keep readers guessing until the end.
Science
- In scientific research, baffling results often lead to new questions and explorations, pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
- Certain natural phenomena, like black holes, can be baffling to scientists, sparking new theories and technologies.
Literature
- In literature, characters often encounter baffling challenges that lead to their growth and development.
- Works of fiction that contain baffling riddles engage readers, encouraging them to solve mysteries alongside the characters.
Origin of 'baffling'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'baffle' comes from the 16th-century English word 'baffled,' which meant to confuse or defeat.
- It is believed to have roots in the word 'baffe,' an old term that means to deceive or confuse.
The word 'baffling' originated from the Middle English word 'bafilen', which means 'to disgrace'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to bewilder' or 'to confuse'. The usage of 'baffling' has been recorded as early as the 17th century, where it was used to describe something that is perplexing or puzzling.
See also: baffled.
Word Frequency Rank
Positioned at #20,435, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.
- ...
- 20432 stereotyping
- 20433 jubilee
- 20434 intelligibility
- 20435 baffling
- 20436 petite
- 20437 ascertainable
- 20438 wishful
- ...