baffle in English
- baffle⇄baffle, verb, -fled,-fling,noun.
- baffle⇄noun a device for hindering or changing flow, especially of air or other gases, water, sound waves, or electrons. A baffle on a rocket engine can change the direction of the exhaust thus causing a change in direction of the rocket.
- baffle⇄noun bafflement.
- baffle⇄noun baffler.
- baffle⇄v.i. to struggle without success.
Ex. The ship baffled against high winds and finally foundered on the rocks. - baffle⇄v.t. 1. to be too hard for (a person) to understand or solve; bewilder.
Ex. This puzzle baffles me.
(SYN) confound, perplex, disconcert.
2. to keep or hold back; hinder; thwart.
Ex. The thief baffled pursuit by locking us in bef
baffle in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
baffle in Sindhi سنڌي
Baffle
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/ˈbæfəl/
Definitions
- To bewilder or confuse someone completely.
- To be too difficult for someone to understand or solve.
- To frustrate or hinder the progress of something.
Usage Examples
- The complex puzzle completely baffled the students.
- The unexpected twist in the story baffled the readers.
- His strange behavior baffled everyone at the party.
Etymology
The word "baffle" comes from the Middle English "bafflen," meaning "to bewilder or confuse," which is of uncertain origin. It may have originated from an Old French word, "bafler," which meant "to confuse" or "to strike with force," and has been used since the 14th century.
Synonyms
- Confuse
- Perplex
- Bewilder
- Puzzle
- Stump
Antonyms
- Clarify
- Explain
- Illuminate
- Comprehend
- Understand
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | يُربك | /yurabbik/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 使困惑 | /shǐ kùnhuò/ |
| French | Dérouter | /deɾute/ |
| German | Verwirren | /fɛɐˈvɪʁən/ |
| Hindi | चकराना | /cakrānā/ |
| Italian | Confondere | /konˈfonderɛ/ |
| Japanese | 困惑させる | /konwaku saseru/ |
| Portuguese | Confundir | /kõfuɾˈdiɾ/ |
| Russian | Озадачивать | /ɐzɐˈdat͡ʃɪvətʲ/ |
| Spanish | Confundir | /konˈfundir/ |
| Swedish | Förvirra | /fœːrˈvɪrɑ/ |
| Turkish | Şaşırtmak | /ʃaːʃɯɾˈtmak/ |
| Greek | Αναστατώνω | /anastatˈono/ |
| Hebrew | לבלבל | /lebalbel/ |
| Korean | 혼란스럽게 하다 | /honlanseureobge hada/ |
| Bengali | বিভ্রান্ত করা | /bivhrānta karā/ |
| Punjabi | ਹਲਚਲ ਕਰਨਾ | /halcal karnā/ |
| Marathi | गोंधळ करणे | /goṁdhal karaṇē/ |
| Gujarati | ગલતફહમી પેદા કરવી | /galatfahami pēdā karavī/ |
| Kannada | ಗುಲಮಾಲು ಮಾಡುವುದು | /gūlamālu māḍuvudu/ |
| Malayalam | ചെറിയ തകരാർ | /ceṟiya takarār/ |
| Odia | ଗୋଲାଗିଲା | /gōlāgilā/ |
| Tamil | கலக்குவது | /kalakkumvadu/ |
| Telugu | చెప్పరాని దారిలో పెట్టు | /cepparāni dārilō peṭṭu/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "baffle" may vary slightly based on accent and dialect, though the standard pronunciation is widely understood. In some English dialects, it may be pronounced more strongly on the first syllable, while in others, the second syllable may be more emphasized.
Historical Usage
"Baffle" has been in use since the 14th century, originally with the meaning of “to confuse or frustrate” and later expanding to also include the sense of "to hinder" or "to obstruct." It has remained a commonly used term in both spoken and written English over the centuries.
Cultural Nuances
The act of baffling someone is often associated with a feeling of helplessness or frustration. It can describe both positive and negative experiences, such as being baffled by a difficult puzzle or the awe of witnessing an unexpected event.
More Information
The word "baffle" is versatile, used in a range of contexts, from the emotional response to confusion to technical applications where obstacles or barriers are described. Its usage is most common in situations where something unexpected occurs, leaving the individual puzzled or uncertain. Whether in casual conversations or formal discussions, "baffle" conveys a strong sense of being left perplexed or unable to make sense of something.