Bemusement: meaning, definitions and examples
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bemusement
[ bɪˈmjuːzmənt ]
state of confusion
Bemusement is a state of being puzzled or confused. It often arises when someone is faced with a situation that is unexpected or difficult to understand. This feeling can be accompanied by a sense of amusement, as the confusion can also appear funny or absurd. People might feel bemused when they encounter an unusual event or hear something that doesn’t quite make sense. In social interactions, bemusement can indicate a lack of comprehension about what is being discussed or observed.
Synonyms
bewilderment, confusion, daze, puzzlement.
Examples of usage
- She looked at the complex instructions in bemusement.
- His bemusement was apparent when he heard the unexpected news.
- The audience sat in bemusement as the magician's trick unfolded.
Translations
Translations of the word "bemusement" in other languages:
🇵🇹 confusão
🇮🇳 अचरज
🇩🇪 Verwirrung
🇮🇩 bingung
🇺🇦 замішання
🇵🇱 zdumienie
🇯🇵 困惑
🇫🇷 confusion
🇪🇸 confusión
🇹🇷 şaşkınlık
🇰🇷 혼란
🇸🇦 حيرة
🇨🇿 zmatení
🇸🇰 zmätenosť
🇨🇳 困惑
🇸🇮 zmedeno
🇮🇸 rugla
🇰🇿 бұлыңғырлық
🇬🇪 ბუნდოვანება
🇦🇿 qarışıqlıq
🇲🇽 confusión
Etymology
The word 'bemusement' is derived from the verb 'bemuse', which itself is a combination of the prefix 'be-' and 'muse'. The prefix 'be-' is often used in English to create a state or condition, while 'muse' comes from the old French word 'muser', meaning to ponder or be lost in thought. This etymological association adds depth to the word, as bemusement conveys not just confusion but also a thoughtful pause. The term became more popular in the English language during the early 20th century, as writers and the emerging media began to capture the quirks of human experience, leading to an increased usage in literature and everyday conversation to express nuanced emotions. Over time, bemusement has come to represent a specific kind of bewilderment—one tinged with a sense of humor or irony. Today, it commonly describes how individuals react to absurd situations or puzzling social interactions.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,458, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.