different between flabbergast vs dumbfounded

English

Etymology

The origin of the verb is uncertain; possibly dialectal (Suffolk), from flabby or flap (“to strike”) + aghast. The word may be related to Scottish flabrigast (“to boast”) or flabrigastit (“worn out with exertion”).

The noun is derived from the verb.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?flæb?(?)???st/
• (General American) enPR: fl?b??r-g?st', IPA^(key): /?flæb???æst/
• Hyphenation: flab?ber?gast

Verb

flabbergast (third-person singular simple present flabbergasts, present participle flabbergasting, simple past flabbergasted, past participle flabbergasted or flabbergast)

1. (transitive) To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner. [from late 18th c.]

   Synonyms: flabbergaster; see also Thesaurus:surprise

Alternative forms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

flabbergast (countable and uncountable, plural flabbergasts)

1. (countable) An awkward person.

   Synonyms: dork, dweeb, geek; see also Thesaurus:dork

2. (uncountable) Overwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise.

   Synonyms: astonishment, astoundedness, awe, dumbfoundedness, flabbergaster, flabbergastation, flabbergastment, stupefaction; see also Thesaurus:confusion, Thesaurus:surprise

Alternative forms

Translations

References

Further reading

• John Ogilvie and Charles Annandale, editors (1883) The Imperial Dictionary of the English Language, new edition, London: Blackie and Son; New York, N.Y.: The Century Company, OCLC 1013401246, page 285.
• “FLABBERGAST, v.” in Joseph Wright, editor, The English Dialect Dictionary: […], volume II (D–G), London: Published by Henry Frowde, […], publisher to the English Dialect Society, […]; New York, N.Y.: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1900, ?OCLC, page 376, column 1.
• Chrysti the Wordsmith [pseudonym; Chrysti M. Smith] (2006) Verbivore’s Feast: Second Course: More Word & Phrase Origins, Helena, Mont.: Farcountry Press, ?ISBN, page 126.

English

Alternative forms

• dumfounded

Adjective

dumbfounded (comparative more dumbfounded, superlative most dumbfounded)

1. Shocked and speechless.

Synonyms

• amazed, astonished, astounded, confounded, flabbergasted, perplexed, shocked, speechless, stunned, stupefied, surprised

Translations

Verb

dumbfounded

1. simple past tense and past participle of dumbfound