baffle

[ baf-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, baf·fled, baf·fling.

1. to confuse, bewilder, or perplex:

   He was baffled by the technical language of the instructions.

2. to frustrate or confound; thwart by creating confusion or bewilderment.
3. to check or deflect the movement of (sound, light, fluids, etc.).
4. to equip with a baffle or baffles.
5. Obsolete. to cheat; trick.

verb (used without object)

, baf·fled, baf·fling.

1. to struggle ineffectually, as a ship in a gale.

noun

1. something that balks, checks, or deflects.
2. an artificial obstruction for checking or deflecting the flow of gases (as in a boiler), sounds (as in the loudspeaker system of a radio or hi-fi set), light (as in a darkroom), etc.
3. any boxlike enclosure or flat panel for mounting a loudspeaker.

baffle

/ ˈbæfəl /

verb

1. to perplex; bewilder; puzzle
2. to frustrate (plans, efforts, etc)
3. to check, restrain, or regulate (the flow of a fluid or the emission of sound or light)
4. to provide with a baffle
5. obsolete.
   to cheat or trick

noun

1. Also calledbaffle boardbaffle plate a plate or mechanical device designed to restrain or regulate the flow of a fluid, the emission of light or sound, or the distribution of sound, esp in a loudspeaker or microphone

Derived Forms

• ˈbaffler, noun
• ˈbafflement, noun

Other Words From

• baf·fle·ment noun
• baf·fler noun
• baf·fling adjective
• baf·fling·ly adverb
• baf·fling·ness noun
• un·baf·fling adjective
• un·baf·fling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of baffle¹

First recorded in 1540–50; 1910–15 baffle fordef 8; perhaps from Scots bauchle “to disgrace, treat with contempt,” equivalent to bauch ( baff ) + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of baffle¹

C16: perhaps from Scottish dialect bachlen to condemn publicly; perhaps related to French bafouer to disgrace

Synonym Study

See thwart.

Example Sentences

So the Queensferry Crossing was fitted with 3.5m-high baffle barriers to break up and deflect gusts of wind.

From BBC

Why does “L.A. Story” baffle you?

From Los Angeles Times

Fans are entitled to expect the technology to reduce the errors by highlighting the obvious mistakes, not baffle them with science.

From BBC

“The things we know; the things we think we know but don’t know for sure; and the things that totally baffle us and are driving us bonkers.”

From Literature

“It’s an acoustical baffle that’s also soft to the touch,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• amaze
• astound
• befuddle
• bewilder
• confound
• confuse
• daze
• disconcert
• dumbfound
• elude
• embarrass
• faze
• mystify
• nonplus
• puzzle
• stump
• stun