baffle

[ baf-uhl ]

/ ˈbæf əl /

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See synonyms for: baffle / baffled / baffling / bafflement on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), baf·fled, baf·fling.

to confuse, bewilder, or perplex: He was baffled by the technical language of the instructions.

to frustrate or confound; thwart by creating confusion or bewilderment.

to check or deflect the movement of (sound, light, fluids, etc.).

to equip with a baffle or baffles.

Obsolete. to cheat; trick.

verb (used without object), baf·fled, baf·fling.

to struggle ineffectually, as a ship in a gale.

noun

something that balks, checks, or deflects.

an artificial obstruction for checking or deflecting the flow of gases (as in a boiler), sounds (as in the loudspeaker system of a radio or hi-fi set), light (as in a darkroom), etc.

any boxlike enclosure or flat panel for mounting a loudspeaker.

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Origin of baffle

First recorded in1540–50; 1910–15 for def. 8; perhaps from Scots bauchle “to disgrace, treat with contempt,” equivalent to bauch (see baff) + -le

synonym study for baffle

1. See thwart.

OTHER WORDS FROM baffle

baf·fle·ment, nounbaf·fler, nounbaf·fling, adjectivebaf·fling·ly, adverb

baf·fling·ness, nounun·baf·fling, adjectiveun·baf·fling·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use baffle in a sentence

He is not entirely surprised that brown tree snakes have devised a way to deal with wide trees or baffles.
Newfound technique allows some tree snakes to climb wide trees|Maria Temming|February 1, 2021|Science News For Students
It might appear senseless but that is appearance only, our bafflement before such barbarity.
Senseless. Evil. Silver Linings. Our Misguided Terms of Terror.|William Giraldi|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This accounts for some of the bafflement that occasionally greets Bachmann's statements.
Bachmann's Unrivaled Extremism|Michelle Goldberg|June 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
To say I felt foolish, would inadequately express my sense of utter bafflement.
The Sorrows of Satan|Marie Corelli

His voice sounded odd and tired, and there was an ache of bafflement in his young eyes.
David Dunne|Belle Kanaris Maniates
A flutter of bafflement showed in her black lashes, but the lips continued to twitch mischievously.
The Heritage of the Hills|Arthur P. Hankins
It was fixed first on Mlanie, then on Agatha, then returned to Mlanie with an added increment of rage and bafflement.
The Stolen Singer|Martha Idell Fletcher Bellinger
Wise was very grave and silent,—he was in a mood which Zizi knew was that of utter bafflement.
The Vanishing of Betty Varian|Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for baffle

baffle

/ (ˈbæfəl) /

verb (tr)

to perplex; bewilder; puzzle

to frustrate (plans, efforts, etc)

to check, restrain, or regulate (the flow of a fluid or the emission of sound or light)

to provide with a baffle

obsolete to cheat or trick

noun

Also called: baffle board, baffle plate a plate or mechanical device designed to restrain or regulate the flow of a fluid, the emission of light or sound, or the distribution of sound, esp in a loudspeaker or microphone

Derived forms of baffle

bafflement, nounbaffler, noun

Word Origin for baffle

C16: perhaps from Scottish dialect bachlen to condemn publicly; perhaps related to French bafouer to disgrace

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

baffle

Origin of baffle

synonym study for baffle

OTHER WORDS FROM baffle

Words related to baffle

How to use baffle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for baffle

Derived forms of baffle

Word Origin for baffle