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Bamboozling: meaning, definitions and examples

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bamboozling

 

[ bæmˈbuːzəlɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

deceptive actions

Bamboozling refers to the act of deceiving or tricking someone, often through elaborate schemes or clever manipulation. It can involve misleading someone to achieve a desired outcome or to draw attention away from the truth. The term is often used in informal contexts to describe situations where someone feels confused or taken advantage of.

Synonyms

deceive, dupe, fool, trick

Examples of usage

  • He bamboozled his friends into thinking he was rich.
  • The magician bamboozled the audience with his tricks.
  • She felt bamboozled after realizing the sales pitch was misleading.

Translations

Translations of the word "bamboozling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganador

🇮🇳 धोखा देना

🇩🇪 täuschen

🇮🇩 menipu

🇺🇦 обманювати

🇵🇱 oszukiwanie

🇯🇵 だまし

🇫🇷 tromper

🇪🇸 engañar

🇹🇷 kandırmak

🇰🇷 속이다

🇸🇦 خداع

🇨🇿 podvádět

🇸🇰 klamať

🇨🇳 欺骗

🇸🇮 prevarati

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მოწვდილი

🇦🇿 aldamaq

🇲🇽 engañar

Etymology

The word 'bamboozle' is believed to have originated in the early 18th century in the United States. While its exact etymology is uncertain, it is thought to have been derived from the earlier term 'bamboozle', which appeared in 1710. Some sources suggest it may have been influenced by a combination of the Scottish word 'bamboozle' meaning to cheat or deceive and other uncertain origins. By the mid-19th century, 'bamboozle' became a popular term in American English, often used in contexts related to trickery or deception. Over time, 'bamboozling' emerged as a form of the word, denoting the action of tricking or misleading someone. This playful or whimsical connotation has kept the term relevant in contemporary language, where it is often used humorously or to describe cunning behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,630, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.