baffle C2+ Topic:Senses & Perception US /ˈbæfəl/ UK /ˈbæfəl/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 verb to confuse or perplex; a device that restrains flow or sound The disappearance continued to baffle investigators. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to confuse or perplex; a... confuseperplexpuzzlebewildermystifyconfound ↔ Opposites enlightenclarify Word family Derived forms bafflementbafflerbaffling Etymology AI details Of uncertain origin, perhaps from Scots bauchle ('to subject to public disgrace') or related to Old French bafouer ('to deceive, mock'). Topics Senses & Perception External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # baffle **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈbæfəl/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈbæfəl/ ## Meanings 1. to confuse or perplex; a device that restrains flow or sound ## Examples - The disappearance continued to baffle investigators. ## Synonyms - confuse - perplex - puzzle - bewilder - mystify - confound ## Antonyms - enlighten - clarify ## Derived Forms - bafflement - baffler - baffling ## Etymology Of uncertain origin, perhaps from Scots bauchle ('to subject to public disgrace') or related to Old French bafouer ('to deceive, mock'). ## AI Etymology Baffle is of uncertain origin, perhaps from Scots bauchle ('to subject to public disgrace') or related to Old French bafouer ('to deceive, mock'). Its deeper history remains uncertain, with proposed links left as possibilities rather than a single settled derivation. The current sense covers to confuse or perplex; a device that restrains flow or sound. The wider family includes derived forms such as bafflement, baffler, and baffling. ## Topics - Senses & Perception markdown