dumbfounded

American

[duhm-faun-did, duhm-faun-] / dʌmˈfaʊn dɪd, ˈdʌmˌfaʊn- /

Or dumfounded

adjective

speechless with amazement; astonished or showing astonishment.

I smiled at the dumbfounded look on their faces as their eyes widened and their mouths fell slack.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of dumbfound.

Etymology

Origin of dumbfounded

dumbfound ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When you're dumbfounded, you're amazed. Being dumbfounded is an extreme form of being surprised or caught off guard. Being dumbfounded is not something that happens every day: this is a word that means something similar to astonished and gobsmacked. Only things that are extraordinary can dumbfound you. This word plays on an older meaning of dumb that means unable to speak. When you're dumbfounded, you're so astounded and shocked that you can't even speak. Save this word for occasions that are truly unusual and amazing.

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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.

See Examples For:

dumbfounded

In the book, MacLachlan recalls being utterly dumbfounded at having been asked to do something so oblivious at best and cruel at worst.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Such was Calvert-Lewin's hunger, he looked dumbfounded after learning his header for Leeds' second against Newcastle had been awarded to team-mate Jayden Bogle after it took a final touch off his team-mate.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

And though some of the names listed have since been implicated in his crimes, or at least knew about his conviction, many others were dumbfounded to be mentioned at all because they’d never met Epstein.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026