baffle

verb baf·fle \ ˈba-fəl \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of baffle

baffled; baffling play \-f(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to defeat or check (someone) by confusing or puzzling : to confuse or frustrate completely : disconcert

Her behavior baffled her parents.

2 : to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle (see ²baffle)

baffle the steam

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bafflement

play \-fəl-mənt\ noun

—

baffler

play \-f(ə-)lər\ noun

See baffle defined for English-language learners

See baffle defined for kids

Examples of baffle in a Sentence

I was baffled by many of the scientific terms used in the article.
the language barrier baffled everyone and discouraged us from attempting another teleconference

Recent Examples of baffle from the Web

In a case that is baffling doctors and researchers, a group of friends from college all developed the same rare eye cancer, several years apart.

— julie mazziotta, ajc, "36 Auburn University graduates develop rare eye cancer years apart," 30 Apr. 2018
In a case that is baffling doctors and researchers, a group of friends from college all developed the same rare eye cancer, several years apart.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "36 Auburn University Graduates Develop Rare Eye Cancer Years Apart," 30 Apr. 2018
With no obvious motive or leads to go on, the Washington police were baffled.

— scott d. seligman, Smithsonian, "The Triple Homicide in D.C. That Laid the Groundwork for Americans’ Right to Remain Silent," 30 Apr. 2018
When asked about the exchange, Ms. Ward said she was baffled as to why Ms. Oates, who is not a stranger to scrapes on Twitter, would be so dismissive of her home state.

— laura m. holson, New York Times, "Marking Mississippi’s Literary Trail, From William Faulkner to Jesmyn Ward," 27 Apr. 2018
When Cheadle found out that The Root was offered only Winston Duke, Anthony Mackie and himself, he was left baffled.

— kristian 'krit' schmidt, The Root, "Don Cheadle Talks Social Media and How He Deals With Trolls," 24 Apr. 2018
Having seen the clear medical benefits of cannabis over more than 50 years of research, Mechoulam is baffled that there’s still reluctance to embrace marijuana as medicine.

— yardena schwartz, Newsweek, "The Outsourcing of American Marijuana Research," 17 Dec. 2015
Social workers supplied them with lodging, used clothes and boxes of unfamiliar food, including a thick, canned, white substance that baffled her mother.

— moira hodgson, WSJ, "‘My American Dream’ Review: The Bastianich Family Recipe," 20 Apr. 2018
The change order left Cooper City Commissioner John Sims baffled.

— emily bloch, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Issues after demo lead to higher costs for community center project in Cooper City," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baffle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of baffle

probably alteration of Middle English (Scots) bawchillen to denounce, discredit publicly

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1675

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

baffle Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of baffle

frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

- frustrated attempts at government reform

thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

- the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

- foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

- baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

- officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

baffle

noun

Definition of baffle

: a device (such as a plate, wall, or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound)

See baffle defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of baffle from the Web

Inspired by Ettore Sottsass' famed Italian design firm the Memphis Group, Enoteca Nostrana's front door opens to a riot of color, with indigo sound baffles, aquamarine chairs and peachy pink walls.

— michael russell, OregonLive.com, "Nostrana chef Cathy Whims is opening a Euro-style wine bar, and it's gorgeous," 5 Apr. 2018
Then mount a baffle on a pole or chain to block access.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Meet the D.C. man who wrote the book on defeating birdseed-stealing squirrels," 15 Apr. 2018
In traditional jackets, there are cold spots wherever there are baffles or quilt lines are sewn into the jacket and no down can live.

— brent rose, Popular Mechanics, "The Depuffening of the Down Jacket," 24 Jan. 2018
The baffle ensures that the heated air flows out the top of the base instead of recirculating around the hot parts.

— kevin dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "Watch What Happens When We Take Apart a Blender," 10 June 2015
To prevent it, Steinau suggests getting a plumber to install a baffle, a one-way flap that would prevent anything from coming the wrong way up the drain.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "What to do if you end up with a rat in your toilet," 23 Feb. 2018
Without the need for baffles, jackets made with Thindown are a universal thickness, and a universal warmness.

— brent rose, Popular Mechanics, "The Depuffening of the Down Jacket," 24 Jan. 2018
To prevent squirrels from stealing bird seed, Brown suggests positioning feeders away from rooftops and trees where squirrels can jump, and certain squirrel baffles also can help.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "From entertaining to 'terribly frustrating,' squirrels earn their national day of appreciation," 12 Jan. 2018
The temporary shed would include concrete culverts up against the shooting windows that would work as baffles and also ensure bullets are directed toward the target area.

— nick ferraro, Twin Cities, "South St. Paul gun club seeks approval from city for temporary rifle-shooting shed," 28 Feb. 2017

Origin and Etymology of baffle

noun derivative of ¹baffle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1881

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Audio Recording Terms

dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

BAFFLE Defined for English Language Learners

baffle

verb

Definition of baffle for English Language Learners

: to confuse (someone) completely

baffle

noun

Definition of baffle for English Language Learners

: a device (such as a wall or screen) that is used to control the flow of something (such as a fluid, light, or sound)

BAFFLE Defined for Kids

baffle

verb baf·fle \ ˈba-fəl \

Definition of baffle for Students

baffled; baffling \ˈba-fə-liŋ, ˈba-fliŋ\

: to completely confuse The instructions baffled us.

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baffled

adjective

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baffle

Definition of baffle

bafflement

baffler

Examples of baffle in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of baffle

baffle Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Related Words

Synonym Discussion of baffle

baffle

Definition of baffle

Recent Examples of baffle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of baffle

Other Audio Recording Terms

BAFFLE Defined for English Language Learners

baffle

Definition of baffle for English Language Learners

baffle

Definition of baffle for English Language Learners

BAFFLE Defined for Kids

baffle

Definition of baffle for Students

baffled

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