dumbfound
DUM-fownd
/ˈdʌm.faʊnd/
To greatly astonish or amaze someone so much that they are temporarily rendered speechless.
Emphasizes the loss of speech or verbal paralysis resulting from sheer confusion or surprise.
The story behind the word. Created in late 16th-century English as a playful combination of 'dumb' (unable to speak) and 'confound' (to throw into confusion or defeat).
Word relationships
- speechless: 'Speechless' is an adjective describing the state; 'dumbfound' is the verb causing it.
- clarify: To make clear and understandable rather than confusingly shocking.
Commonly confused with
- confound: 'Confound' means to mix up or confuse; 'dumbfound' emphasizes being struck silent by shock.
Word family
- dumbfounded (adjective): Greatly astonished and speechless.
Collocations
- completely dumbfound
- dumbfound critics
- dumbfound spectators
Idioms & expressions
- left dumbfounded
Example sentences
- "The unexpected arrival of the key witness managed to dumbfound the prosecution team." Courtroom Drama
Memory hook
When you are DUMBFOUNDED, you feel DUMB because you FOUND no words to say. Found speechless from shock.
When not to use
Do not use to mean making someone physically mute permanently.
Fun facts
- It is one of English's most successful 17th-century portmanteau (blend) verbs that successfully transitioned into standard formal speech.
Related words
Explore more words
flummoxed, nonplussed, confounded, consternation, bewildered, baffled
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