Flabbergasting: meaning, definitions and examples

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flabbergasting

 

[ ˈflæbəɡæstɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

emotional reaction

Flabbergasting describes something that is extremely surprising or shocking. It often refers to situations that leave one speechless due to their unexpected nature.

Synonyms

astonishing, astounding, mind-blowing, stunning

Examples of usage

  • The magician's final trick was flabbergasting to the audience.
  • She gave a flabbergasting performance that left everyone in awe.
  • His flabbergasting news about the promotion caught everyone off guard.

Translations

Translations of the word "flabbergasting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estonteante

🇮🇳 हैरान करने वाला

🇩🇪 erstaunlich

🇮🇩 menakjubkan

🇺🇦 вражаючий

🇵🇱 zdumiewający

🇯🇵 驚くべき

🇫🇷 stupéfiant

🇪🇸 asombroso

🇹🇷 şaşırtıcı

🇰🇷 놀라운

🇸🇦 مذهل

🇨🇿 ohromující

🇸🇰 ohromujúci

🇨🇳 令人震惊的

🇸🇮 osupljiv

🇮🇸 forvitnandi

🇰🇿 таңғаларлық

🇬🇪 გაოგნებული

🇦🇿 şokedici

🇲🇽 asombroso

Etymology

The word 'flabbergast' first appeared in the early 18th century, specifically in 1772. It is believed to be a combination of the words 'flabber,' which is thought to mean to confuse or disconcert, and 'gast,' meaning to frighten or shock. The term was likely created in response to the cultural context of its time, where language was often playful and inventive. Over the years, 'flabbergast' has maintained its quirky charm and has become a popular term in English, often used in informal settings to express surprise or astonishment. Its evolution reflects a broader trend in language where expressions of strong emotions tend to become more colorful and vivid, allowing speakers to convey a sense of wonder or disbelief.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,504, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.