baffle

1 of 2

verb

baf·​fle ˈba-fəl 

baffled; baffling ˈba-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 baffle entry 2)

baffle the steam

bafflement

ˈba-fəl-mənt 

noun

baffler

ˈba-f(ə-)lər 

noun

baffle

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms

Verb

• frustrate

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of baffle in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Verb

When Burrell wasn’t tapped to join the show’s 28th season in January — after playing a central role in the first 27 — viewers were appalled and even Burrell was baffled. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025

What baffles researchers is that some people who suffer from chronic pain report not having a past injury or evidence of illness. —Nicole Pajer, People.com, 17 June 2025

Noun

Mount predator baffles and guards to the pole or tree during installation. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025

Unlike other vacuums, the V11 won’t annoy your ears; its acoustic baffles improve airflow and keep the noise down to a decent 70-decibel level. —Ho Lin, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

noun derivative of baffle entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for baffle

• raffle

Kids Definition

baffle

1 of 2 verb

baf·​fle ˈbaf-əl 

baffled; baffling ˈbaf-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to defeat or check by confusing : perplex

2

: to check or break the force or flow of by or as if by a baffle

bafflement

-əl-mənt 

noun

baffler

-(ə)lər 

noun

baffle

2 of 2 noun

: a device (as a wall or screen) to turn aside, check, or regulate flow (as of a fluid, light, or sound)