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

Many commenters were baffled no one wanted to match with McBride. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025

Those are the same factors that left observers baffled by how the fire was handled a month earlier. —Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Noun

Thanks to two matte metal finishes—Sabbia Oro, a luminous and warm neutral, and Terra Rossa, a bold, earthy red—the speaker’s design is elevated with a look that wraps the entire cabinet, including the front baffle. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

The researchers' design looks like a conventional grease trap on the outside, but actually features a a series of physical baffles which slow the flow of wastewater and separate larger fat particles. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 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)