stun
stuhn
Stun (verb) means to knock someone senseless or make them lose awareness, often with a blow or shock. Example: “The blow to the head stunned him for a moment.”
verb
1
To knock someone senseless or make them lose awareness, often with a blow or shock.
"The blow to the head stunned him for a moment."
"The taser is designed to stun, not kill."
2
To shock or amaze someone.
"The news of her resignation stunned the whole office."
How to use stun
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo knock senseless, or to shock someone with surprise.
Common pairings
stun gun
stunned into silence
stun someone
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Word forms
- Plural
- stuns
- Third person singular
- stuns
- Past tense
- stunned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The taser is designed to _____, not kill.
Etymology
From Middle English stonen ("to astonish, numb"), likely via Anglo-Norman estoner, from a Latin root meaning "to thunder" — the same family as astonish and astound.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stun
See all rhymes for stun →Frequently asked questions
What does “stun” mean?
The word “stun” means to knock someone senseless or make them lose awareness, often with a blow or shock. In plain terms, to knock senseless, or to shock someone with surprise.
How do you pronounce “stun”?
“Stun” is pronounced stuhn (/stʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “stun” in a sentence?
Here is “stun” used in a sentence: “The blow to the head stunned him for a moment.”
What part of speech is “stun”?
“Stun” is a verb.
Where does the word “stun” come from?
The word “stun” comes from Latin. From Middle English stonen ("to astonish, numb"), likely via Anglo-Norman estoner, from a Latin root meaning "to thunder" — the same family as astonish and astound.
Is “stun” a common word?
“Stun” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stun” have?
“Stun” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to knock someone senseless or make them lose awareness, often with a blow or shock.
