flabbergast
Low FrequencyInformal
Definition
Meaning
To overwhelm with shock, surprise, or wonder; to astonish greatly.
To render someone speechless or utterly stunned, often through an unexpected or extremely surprising event or statement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a hyperbolic, often slightly humorous or old-fashioned tone. It implies a degree of shock that is complete and renders the subject temporarily unable to react.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and slightly more established in British English, but perfectly understood in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a theatrical, almost comic level of surprise. It's rarely used for genuine tragedy or horror.
Frequency
Used more frequently in British English, often in journalism or colourful speech. In American English, it is a deliberate choice for a colourful or slightly archaic effect.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] flabbergasts [Object][Object] be flabbergasted by/at [Subject]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(be) flabbergasted”
- “flabbergast someone into silence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously in internal communications: 'The quarterly results flabbergasted the entire board.'
Academic
Extremely rare. Considered too informal and imprecise.
Everyday
Primary context. Used for personal anecdotes: 'I was flabbergasted when she announced her resignation.'
Technical
Never used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The referee's dubious decision flabbergasted the home crowd.
- Her sudden offer to pay for everything quite flabbergasted me.
American English
- The final plot twist flabbergasted everyone in the theater.
- It flabbergasts me that they didn't see this coming.
adverb
British English
- He stared flabbergasted at the empty safe. (less common, poetic)
American English
- She looked at him flabbergasted, unable to form a word. (less common, poetic)
adjective
British English
- He had a flabbergasted look on his face when he saw the bill.
- The flabbergasted committee asked for a recount.
American English
- She was flabbergasted by the size of the tip he left.
- A flabbergasted silence fell over the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I was flabbergasted when I won the prize.
- The news flabbergasted us all.
- The audience was left utterly flabbergasted by the magician's final trick.
- He was completely flabbergasted at the accusation.
- The sheer audacity of the proposal flabbergasted the seasoned negotiators into momentary silence.
- Having studied the market for years, I remain flabbergasted by its volatility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FLABBY gastropod (a snail) being so ASTonished it turns into a ghost: FLAB-GHAST. The shock made the flabby creature gasp 'Aghast!'
Conceptual Metaphor
SURPRISE IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (it knocks you over, bowls you over, knocks you for six).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation. Not "изумлять" in a neutral sense. Closer to "ошарашивать", "поражать до глубины души", "ставить в тупик" but with a flavour of the dramatic or quaint.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Misspelling: 'flabbergasted', 'flabberghast'.
- Using it as a noun ("a flabbergast") is non-standard.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'flabbergasted' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is distinctly informal and often has a humorous or hyperbolic tone. It is unsuitable for academic, legal, or formal business writing.
The noun form ('a flabbergast') is extremely rare and considered non-standard. The primary parts of speech are the verb ('to flabbergast') and the participial adjective ('flabbergasted').
'Flabbergast' is more intense, informal, and often implies a temporary loss for words or a comical level of surprise. 'Astonish' is more standard and can be used in a wider range of registers.
Its etymology is uncertain, but it first appeared in the late 18th century. It is possibly a combination of 'flabby' (or 'flap') and 'aghast', or a nonsense coinage meant to sound expressive.