Dumbfound: meaning, definitions and examples
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dumbfound
[ ˈdʌmˌfaʊnd ]
emotional response
To dumbfound someone means to astonish or confuse them to the point of being speechless. This reaction often occurs when someone is presented with unexpected news or an extraordinary event. The feeling of being dumbfounded implies a sense of disbelief and shock that can leave a person momentarily unable to articulate their thoughts. It is commonly used in situations where someone is so surprised that they struggle to respond or react appropriately.
Synonyms
astonish, bewilder, confound, stun.
Examples of usage
- The magician's trick dumbfounded the audience.
- She was dumbfounded by the sudden news of her promotion.
- His bold proposal dumbfounded everyone in the room.
Translations
Translations of the word "dumbfound" in other languages:
🇵🇹 deixar alguém atônito
🇮🇳 हैरान करना
🇩🇪 verblüffen
🇮🇩 membingungkan
🇺🇦 ошелешити
🇵🇱 zaskoczyć
🇯🇵 驚かせる (odorokaseru)
🇫🇷 stupéfier
🇪🇸 asombrar
🇹🇷 şaşkına çevirmek
🇰🇷 어리둥절하게 하다 (eoridungjeolhage hada)
🇸🇦 دهش (dahsha)
🇨🇿 ohromit
🇸🇰 ohromiť
🇨🇳 使震惊 (shǐ zhènjīng)
🇸🇮 presenetiti
🇮🇸 sinna undrandi
🇰🇿 таң қалдыру
🇬🇪 გაკვირვება (gak'virveba)
🇦🇿 şoka salmaq
🇲🇽 sorprender
Etymology
The word 'dumbfound' is believed to have originated in the early 17th century, combining the prefix 'dumb', which historically meant unable to speak (not just 'stupid' as it is often interpreted today), with 'found', from 'found' or 'founding', a term related to making someone unable to respond verbally. Its usage was first documented around 1620. The notion embodied in 'dumbfound' reflects an intense surprise that leaves one momentarily speechless, reinforcing its connection to the state of being 'dumb' in the traditional sense of lacking speech. Over time, the word has evolved to capture both the aspect of astonishment and the bewilderment one feels when confronted with something wholly unexpected. 'Dumbfound' has remained relatively unchanged in its meaning over the centuries, continuing to convey a strong emotional response in contemporary usage.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #42,308, 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.