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Befuddling: meaning, definitions and examples

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befuddling

 

[ bɪˈfʌd.lɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

descriptive quality

Befuddling refers to something that is confusing or perplexing. It often describes a situation or a statement that makes it difficult to understand the meaning or intention behind it. The term suggests a state of mental fog or bewilderment.

Synonyms

bewildering, confusing, perplexing, puzzling

Examples of usage

  • The instructions for assembling the furniture were befuddling.
  • His befuddling explanations only left us more confused.
  • The magician's tricks were so befuddling that the audience was left in awe.
  • The math problem was befuddling to most of the students.

Translations

Translations of the word "befuddling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 confuso

🇮🇳 भ्रमित करने वाला

🇩🇪 verwirrend

🇮🇩 membingungkan

🇺🇦 заплутуючий

🇵🇱 zmylający

🇯🇵 混乱させる

🇫🇷 déconcertant

🇪🇸 confuso

🇹🇷 kafa karıştırıcı

🇰🇷 혼란스럽게 하는

🇸🇦 مربك

🇨🇿 zmatený

🇸🇰 zmätený

🇨🇳 令人困惑的

🇸🇮 zmedeno

🇮🇸 ruglingslegt

🇰🇿 шатастыратын

🇬🇪 ბუნდოვანი

🇦🇿 qarışıq

🇲🇽 confuso

Etymology

The word 'befuddling' is derived from the verb 'befuddle,' which has its roots in the mid-19th century. The prefix 'be-' is often used to form verbs indicating a process of causing a certain condition or state, while 'fuddle' comes from the Old English 'fudda,' meaning 'head' or 'a head.' The term 'fuddle' originally meant to confuse or make drunk, suggesting a loss of clarity in thought. Over time, 'befuddle' evolved to represent confusion or perplexity in a more general sense. The '-ing' suffix indicates an ongoing action or condition, thereby giving rise to the adjective 'befuddling,' which captures the essence of something that is actively causing confusion. The usage of 'befuddling' in literature and everyday conversation emphasizes situations where clarity is obscured, reflecting human experiences of confusion and misunderstanding.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,355, 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.