nonplussed
Americanadjective
-
completely puzzled or perplexed by something unexpected.
She blows a hole in the wall and escapes, and the nonplussed aliens are left wondering what happened.
-
not dismayed; indifferent or unexcited; calm.
I hadn’t yet told my girlfriend I was leaving—I didn't want to risk being crushed by a nonplussed response to the news.
verb
Usage
The most common sense of nonplussed is “puzzled or perplexed”: Her odd choice of words left me somewhat nonplussed. But there is a more recent and less common usage with almost the opposite meaning, “unfazed, indifferent, or unexcited”: She remained nonplussed throughout the child’s tantrum, simply waiting till it was over. Although this second usage is gaining traction even in edited writing, many speakers and writers consider it nonstandard and avoid it as potentially confusing. There are several theories about how this contradictory second meaning came into being. One explanation is the analysis of nonplussed as non- “not” + plussed, interpreted as “not puzzled, perplexed, bothered, or impressed,” possibly by analogy with other words that have a negative prefix and similar meaning, such as unfazed and indifferent, and perhaps influenced by nonchalant. However, plussed has no meaning in English, and the non at the beginning is not in fact the common English negative prefix non- found in such words as nonalcoholic or nonexistent. Interestingly, the adjective nonplussed was formed from the less common verb nonplus “to puzzle or perplex,” which was originally a noun meaning “a state of utter perplexity,” and this noun was borrowed from the Latin phrase nōn plūs “not more; no further.” In other words, a state of perplexity is one in which the person can think of no more to say or do.
Etymology
Origin of nonplussed
First recorded in 1600–10; nonplus ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
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.
I was nonplussed at a 1992 symposium in Vienna when a hall filled with international art world denizens went absolutely wild, cheering and stomping when Kelley was introduced on a panel.
From Los Angeles Times
But maybe you already have speakers hooked up at your desk and are nonplussed about the integrated audio system.
From The Verge
Investors can be forgiven for being nonplussed on the data front this week.
From Reuters
Simmons seemed nonplussed by the trade speculation, posting videos on Instagram of him relaxing in a pool.
From Seattle Times
Even for a Senate that hasn’t legislated in a while, staffers on both sides of the aisle are nonplussed.
From Washington Post
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.
