flabbergast
FLAB-er-gast
/ˈflæb.ə.ɡɑːst/
To surprise or shock someone overwhelmingly, leaving them utterly bewildered.
Highly expressive and colourful; often conveys dramatic, jaw-dropping disbelief.
The story behind the word. First recorded in 1772 in a magazine article listing fashionable new slang words. It likely combines 'flabber' (meaning flabby or trembling with shock) and 'aghast' (struck with terror).
Word relationships
- gobsmack: 'Gobsmack' is British informal slang; 'flabbergast' is broader English informal vocabulary.
- unimpress: To leave someone completely unbothered or indifferent.
Commonly confused with
- aghast: 'Aghast' implies horror or dismay, while 'flabbergast' emphasizes pure bewildered surprise.
Word family
- flabbergasted (adjective): Overcome with surprise and bewilderment.
Collocations
- utterly flabbergast
- flabbergast the audience
- enough to flabbergast
Idioms & expressions
- left flabbergasted
Example sentences
- "The sudden collapse of the tech giant managed to flabbergast even seasoned market analysts." Financial News
Memory hook
FLABBY cheeks gasp like a GHOST when you are FLABBERGASTED. Cheeks shaking like a ghost in shock.
When not to use
Avoid in extremely formal legal briefs or academic research papers due to its colorful, conversational origin.
Fun facts
- In 1772, language purists complained that 'flabbergast' was vulgar street slang that would ruin the English language.
Related words
Explore more words
flummoxed, nonplussed, bewildered, consternation, breathtaking, bizarre
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