mind-boggling

[mahynd-bog-ling]

adjective

Slang.

1. intellectually overwhelming.

   a mind-boggling puzzle.

2. emotionally or psychologically overwhelming; mind-blowing.

mind-boggling

adjective

1. informal,  astonishing; bewildering

Other Word Forms

• mind-bogglingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mind-boggling¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Related Words

• amazing 
• astonishing 
• breathtaking 
• spectacular 
• staggering 
• startling 
• stunning 
• surprising 
• wonderful 

When To Use

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.