noun
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the state of being perplexed
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the state of being intricate or complicated
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something that perplexes
Etymology
Origin of perplexity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perplexite, from Old French, from Late Latin perplexitās, from Latin perplex(us) ( see perplexed) + -itās -ity
Explanation
Perplexity is confusion that results from something being complicated. The instruction manuals for computer components might put a look of perplexity on your face. If you think of the word complexity — which is when something is really intricate or involves lots of complicated parts — it might help you remember that perplexity is the state that results from complexity. You might experience perplexity at the complexity of the plays your coach has diagrammed, or perplexity at the complicated menu options at an Indian restaurant.
Vocabulary lists containing perplexity
The Jungle
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"Home" by Anton Chekhov
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myPerspectives 10.6
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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.
However, the figures were overshadowed by news that Snap and Perplexity had canceled a deal that would have integrated Perplexity’s AI-powered search functions with Snap’s platform.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
“Perplexity continues to value Snapchat as a platform for reaching key audiences, remains active on the Snap platform, and expects to continue using Snap’s advertising products,” Perplexity said in a statement.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Perplexity said the companies determined that the original implementation of the partnership wasn’t the right fit for each of their product goals.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
Wedbush’s Ives said that Apple’s M&A strategy “would likely include AI names, and Perplexity would be a possible candidate in our view.”
From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026
Winter Evenings and Stories 127 Allugua 130 Caterpillar 135 Tungnaluke's Perplexity 138 The Raven, the Barnacle Goose, and the Whale 142 XXI.
From Short Sketches from Oldest America by Driggs, John B. (John Beach)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
