boggle

[ bog-uhl ]
See synonyms for: boggleboggled on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),bog·gled, bog·gling.
  1. to overwhelm or bewilder, as with magnitude, complexity, or strangeness: The speed of light boggles the mind.

  2. to bungle; botch.

verb (used without object),bog·gled, bog·gling.
  1. to hesitate or waver because of scruples, fear, etc.

  2. to start or jump with fear, alarm, or surprise; shrink; shy.

  1. to bungle awkwardly.

  2. to be overwhelmed or bewildered.

noun
  1. an act of shying or taking alarm.

  2. a mess; a bungle or botch.

  1. Archaic. a scruple; demur; hesitation.

Origin of boggle

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; perhaps from bogle

Other words from boggle

  • bog·gling·ly, adverb

Words Nearby boggle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use boggle in a sentence

  • You needn't boggle at it; it's honest got and earned, long before this other racket.

    Robbery Under Arms | Thomas Alexander Browne, AKA Rolf Boldrewood
  • However you would immediately require some specimen of my skill; and at that indeed I might boggle a little.

  • The time to think of risks was gone by; the time to boggle over what honor allowed or forbade had never come to Rupert of Hentzau.

    Rupert of Hentzau | Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for boggle

boggle

/ (ˈbɒɡəl) /


verb(intr often foll by at)
  1. to be surprised, confused, or alarmed (esp in the phrase the mind boggles)

  2. to hesitate or be evasive when confronted with a problem

  1. (tr) to baffle; bewilder; puzzle

Origin of boggle

1
C16: probably variant of bogle 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012