flabbergast
UK /ˈflæbə(ˌ)ɡɑːst/ · US /ˈflæbɚˌɡæst/ verb, noun
Forms flabbergasts flabbergasting flabbergasted
- verb (transitive) To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner. “He was flabbergasted to find that his work had been done for him before he began.”
- noun (countable) An awkward person.
- noun (uncountable) Overwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise. “His flabbergast was so great he couldn’t even come up with a plausible answer.”
Synonyms
flabbergaster dork dweeb geek flabagast flabaghast gink nerd Nigel nosebleed astonishment astoundedness awe dumbfoundedness flabbergastation flabbergastment stupefaction bafflement befuddlement bemusement boggle bowl over
Etymology
The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”).
The noun is derived from the verb.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To astonish; to strike with wonder, esp. by extraordinary statements. [Jocular] Beaconsfield.
Etymology [Cf. Flap, and Aghast.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “flabbergast”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details