mind-boggling
Americanadjective
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intellectually overwhelming.
a mind-boggling puzzle.
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emotionally or psychologically overwhelming; mind-blowing.
adjective
Usage
What does mind-boggling mean? Mind-boggling means utterly overwhelming to the mind or extremely difficult to understand or comprehend. The verb boggle means to overwhelm or bewilder, such as with complexity or abnormality. Things are often described as mind-boggling when they’re incredibly complex or exist on a scale that’s impossible to comprehend or “wrap your head around.”A similar term is mind-blowing. Mind-blowing is usually used to describe things that are impressive, whereas mind-boggling usually describes things that are confusing or hard to even think about. Still, the terms are often used interchangeably. The related verb phrase boggle the mind means to astound or be incomprehensible, as in His behavior really boggles the mind sometimes—I can’t begin to understand his motivation for doing the things he does. Example: The size and scale of the universe is mind-boggling—it’s impossible to grasp its magnitude.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mind-boggling
First recorded in 1960–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike Alice, Bryan is the audience stand-in: the average guy who responds to a mind-boggling, impossible situation as clumsily as you or I might.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
Walters told the Press Association it was "mind-boggling" to be asked to join the series and that it was "a bit out of my comfort zone".
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
Rams coach Sean McVay said reversing the college football-to-NFL pipeline was mind-boggling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
But it has also spurred periodic selloffs, as investors have blanched at the mind-boggling cost of the enterprise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
It’s a little mind-boggling how nice people are, folks I don’t even know.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
