gobsmacked

American  

[gob-smakt] / ˈgɒbˌsmækt /

adjective

Chiefly British Slang.

1. utterly astounded; astonished.

   I was truly gobsmacked by their decision.

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gobsmacked British  

/ ˈɡɒbˌsmækt /

adjective

1. slang astounded; astonished

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Usage

What does gobsmacked mean? Gobsmacked is an adjective that means completely shocked. The word gobsmacked comes from England and Scotland, where it is used as slang to express extreme shock. Gobsmacked is often used by people from these areas. Example: She was absolutely gobsmacked when she discovered a large pile of money under the floorboards.

Other Word Forms

• gobsmacking
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gobsmacked

First recorded in 1955–60; gob ³ + smack ² + -ed ²

Explanation

To be gobsmacked is to be very surprised or astonished. You'd probably be gobsmacked if an alien spaceship landed in your front yard. Imagine how stunned you'd be if you were abruptly smacked in the mouth for no reason: This is where the word gobsmacked originated, from the Irish gob, or "mouth," and smack, or "hit." When you're gobsmacked, you're utterly shocked, overwhelmed, or taken aback. "When my dog was elected mayor of our town, we were all gobsmacked."

Example Sentences

Halperin’s accusers were gobsmacked to see Kelly, who’d once given them a sympathetic platform on the Today show, turn around and mastermind his comeback.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

I’m completely gobsmacked by this situation, as I truly believed he was doing fine.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

I’m gobsmacked that there is no mention of bathrooms in these stories about future office design.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

"I was gobsmacked when Karl told me what he planned to do," says Angela, a retired packer at a snack food factory who is divorced from Keith.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

Well, imagine my gobsmacked surprise when one of the king’s ministers told me they needed a historian to visit the goblin court of Ghohg the Evil One.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin