verb
boggle
BOG-uhl
Boggle (verb) means to overwhelm or bewilder the mind, especially with something surprising or hard to grasp. Example: “The sheer scale of the universe boggles the mind.”
verb
1
To overwhelm or bewilder the mind, especially with something surprising or hard to grasp.
"The sheer scale of the universe boggles the mind."
"It boggles me how quickly the project fell apart."
How to use boggle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo confuse or amaze someone so much that they can barely process it.
Common pairings
boggle the mind
mind-boggling
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Word forms
- Plural
- boggles
- Third person singular
- boggles
- Past tense
- boggled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sheer scale of the universe _____ the mind.
Etymology
Related to bogle, an old term for a goblin; the sense shifted from "startle as if seeing a ghost" to "confuse or overwhelm."
Synonyms
View more →
bowl over
flabbergast
Related words
Rhymes for boggle
See all rhymes for boggle →Frequently asked questions
What does “boggle” mean?
The word “boggle” means to overwhelm or bewilder the mind, especially with something surprising or hard to grasp. In plain terms, to confuse or amaze someone so much that they can barely process it.
How do you pronounce “boggle”?
“Boggle” is pronounced BOG-uhl (/ˈbɑ.ɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “boggle” in a sentence?
Here is “boggle” used in a sentence: “The sheer scale of the universe boggles the mind.”
What part of speech is “boggle”?
“Boggle” is a verb.
