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The Daily Insight

What part of speech is flabbergasted

Author

William Taylor

Published Mar 07, 2026

Use the adjective flabbergasted to describe someone who’s astounded or surprised for any reason, good or bad.

What is the flabbergasted?

Definition of flabbergasted : feeling or showing intense shock, surprise, or wonder : utterly astonished Every second person wore a blank flabbergasted expression, having just offered some gratuitous insult to a stranger, or, perhaps, received one.—

Why do we say flabbergasted?

Origin and usage The origin of flabbergasted is uncertain; it may come from a dialect word used in Suffolk or Perthshire, or it may have been created from the words ‘flabby’ and ‘aghast’.

How do you use the word flabbergasted?

  1. While Dean was flabbergasted , his emotions were conflicted. …
  2. He said he’s ” a bit flabbergasted ” to win. …
  3. Never, have I seen a person so flabbergasted , so stunned. …
  4. I was, and indeed still am, completely flabbergasted .

What is synonym for flabbergasted?

Some common synonyms of flabbergast are amaze, astonish, astound, and surprise. While all these words mean “to impress forcibly through unexpectedness,” flabbergast may suggest thorough astonishment and bewilderment or dismay.

Is flabbergasted formal?

The word is pronounced ‘FLA-be-gaa-stid’ with the main stress on the first syllable. It is mostly used in informal contexts to mean to be astounded, surprised or shocked.

Is flabbergasted an adverb?

You are really, really shocked — pretty much speechless. Use the adjective flabbergasted to describe someone who’s astounded or surprised for any reason, good or bad.

Is Savoriness a word?

sa·vor·y. adj. 1. Appetizing to the taste or smell: a savory stew.

Does flabbergasted have a negative connotation?

Even though flabbergasted isn’t used in the same negative way as ‘aghast’ – meaning to be filled with shock or horror – it would make sense for the latter part of the word to come from it. … While the true etymology of the word remains unknown, our love for flabbergasted has now been documented.

What is the opposite of flabbergasted?

(indifferent) Opposite of confounded with surprise or wonder. indifferent. nonchalant. unimpressed. unconcerned.

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What is a dumbfound?

Definition of dumbfound transitive verb. : to confound (see confound sense 1) briefly and usually with astonishment were dumbfounded at what they saw. Other Words from dumbfound Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About dumbfound.

What's the opposite of setting off?

cutdeactivateswitch offshut downshutunplughaltturn output outextinguish

When was the word flabbergasted invented?

That’s about as good an explanation for the origin of this strange word for being surprised or astonished as you’re likely to get. It turns up first in print in 1772, in an article on new words in the Annual Register. The writer couples two fashionable terms: “Now we are flabbergasted and bored from morning to night”.

How many syllables does flabbergasted have?

Wondering why flabbergasted is 4 syllables? Contact Us!

Is Cattywampus a word?

Cattywampus is a variant of catawampus, another example of grand 19th century American slang. In addition to “askew” catawampus may refer to “an imaginary fierce wild animal,” or may mean “savage, destructive.”

Can dumbfounded be used negatively?

Dumbfounded: “greatly astonish or amaze: they were dumbfounded at his popularity.” (New Oxford American Dictionary) Although it doesn’t necessarily suggest a negative outcome, I think it does generally carry connotations of nonplussed bemusement. As others have already mentioned, there’s also appalled and nonplussed.

What's the meaning of doggerel?

Doggerel, or doggrel, is poetry that is irregular in rhythm and in rhyme, often deliberately for burlesque or comic effect. Alternatively, it can mean verse which has a monotonous rhythm, easy rhyme, and cheap or trivial meaning. The word is derived from the Middle English dogerel, probably a derivative of dog.

What is another word for gobsmacked?

In this page you can discover 9 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for gobsmacked, like: , awestruck, dumbfounded, flabbergast, taken-aback, freaked-out, amazed, dumbstruck and apalled.

What does it mean to disconcert someone?

Definition of disconcert transitive verb. 1 : to throw into confusion disconcerting their plans. 2 : to disturb the composure of were disconcerted by his tone of voice.

What is the synonym and antonym for flabbergasted?

In this page you can discover 20 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for flabbergasted, like: astonished, surprised, overwhelmed, dumbfounded, stunned, confounded, shocked, awed, astounded, dumbstruck and thunderstruck.

Is Savoriest a word?

Savoriest meaning The definition of savoriest is the tastiest or most appetizing, or the most pleasing to taste or smell. An example of savoriest used as an adjective is in the sentence, “The sausage is the savoriest dish on the table,” which means that the sausage is the best tasting dish.

Is there a word deliciousness?

Meaning of deliciousness in English. the quality of having a very pleasant taste or smell: This soup is pure deliciousness. They praised the deliciousness of her food.

Is it savory or Savoury?

Savoury meaning UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada spelling of savory. UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada spelling of savory.

What does it mean to get jaded?

Full Definition of jaded 1 : fatigued by overwork : exhausted a jaded horse. 2 : made dull, apathetic, or cynical by experience or by having or seeing too much of something jaded network viewers jaded voters. Other Words from jaded Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About jaded.

Is bamboozled a real word?

Definition of bamboozle 1 : to deceive by underhanded methods : dupe, hoodwink I got bamboozled by the salesperson to buy a more expensive model.

What is a Dumbfoundedly?

or dum·found·ed 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.

What do you mean by dump folded?

(also dumbstruck, uk/ˈdʌm.strʌk/ us/ˈdʌm.strʌk/) so shocked that you cannot speak: He was dumbfounded by the allegations. Synonym. thunderstruck.

Is it dumbfounded or dumfounded?

As adjectives the difference between dumfounded and dumbfounded. is that dumfounded is shocked and speechless while dumbfounded is shocked and speechless.

What is to ignite?

Definition of ignite transitive verb. 1a : to set afire also : kindle. b : to cause (a fuel) to burn. 2 : to subject to fire or intense heat especially : to render luminous by heat. 3a : to heat up : excite oppression that ignited the hatred of the people.

What is the opposite of pending?

Opposite of unresolved, awaiting a decision or settlement. decided. determined. resolved. settled.

Is treacherous a synonym or antonym?

Some common synonyms of treacherous are disloyal, faithless, false, perfidious, and traitorous. While all these words mean “untrue to what should command one’s fidelity or allegiance,” treacherous implies readiness to betray trust or confidence.