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Flabbergasted: meaning, definitions and examples

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flabbergasted

 

[ ˈflæb.ər.ɡæstɪd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

surprise reaction

Flabbergasted describes a state of extreme surprise or shock. When someone is flabbergasted, they are so astonished that they may struggle to find words or understand what is happening.

Synonyms

astonished, astounded, stunned, surprised

Examples of usage

  • I was flabbergasted by the unexpected news.
  • She looked flabbergasted when she won the award.
  • The audience was flabbergasted at the magician's trick.

Translations

Translations of the word "flabbergasted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 atónito

🇮🇳 हैरान

🇩🇪 verblüfft

🇮🇩 terkejut

🇺🇦 приголомшений

🇵🇱 zdumiony

🇯🇵 驚愕した

🇫🇷 stupéfait

🇪🇸 atónito

🇹🇷 şaşkın

🇰🇷 경악한

🇸🇦 مندهش

🇨🇿 ohromený

🇸🇰 ohromený

🇨🇳 震惊的

🇸🇮 presenečen

🇮🇸 undrandi

🇰🇿 есте таңданған

🇬🇪 შოკირებული

🇦🇿 şok olmuş

🇲🇽 asombrado

Etymology

The word 'flabbergasted' first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century, around the year 1770. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is thought to be a blend of various colloquialisms expressing surprise. The '-gasted' component may relate to the word 'aghast,' which means filled with shock or horror, while 'flabber' could be derived from an inversion or alteration of the term. This term reflects the whimsical nature of language evolution where sounds and meanings intermingle to create words that encapsulate complex emotions succinctly. Over the years, 'flabbergasted' has remained in popular use, often conveying a strong emotional response to unexpected events, and it has been incorporated into various cultural references, solidifying its place in modern vernacular.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,664 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.