The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

boggle

IPA:

Dictionary definition of boggle

To be baffled or be bewildered when faced with a difficult, complex, or unexpected situation.
"The difficult math problem made his mind boggle."

Detailed meaning of boggle

It often implies that the mind is struggling to comprehend something, or that a person is taken aback by something that challenges their expectations. When someone is said to be boggled by something, they are typically experiencing a moment of mental confusion or disorientation. This confusion can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a sudden change in circumstances, a difficult problem, or a shocking revelation. In some cases, being boggled can be a positive experience, as it can lead to new insights or a greater appreciation for the complexity of the world around us.

Example sentences containing boggle

1. The complexity of the puzzle can boggle the mind.
2. His incredible talent for singing and dancing continues to boggle audiences.
3. The magician's tricks never cease to boggle my mind.
4. The sheer size of the skyscrapers in the cityscape can boggle one's imagination.
5. The intricate details of the painting boggle the art enthusiast.
6. The scientific theory presented in the lecture can boggle even the brightest minds.

History and etymology of boggle

The verb 'boggle' has a somewhat uncertain etymology, but it is believed to have originated in the 16th century in English. It may be related to the Middle English word 'bogillen,' which means 'to startle' or 'to be afraid.' Another possibility is that it's connected to the word 'bogle,' which referred to a ghost or specter, evoking the idea of being startled or frightened by something unexpected. Over time, 'boggle' came to signify the state of being baffled or bewildered when confronted with a challenging, complex, or unexpected situation. It captures the notion of mental hesitation or a momentary pause as if one is startled or taken aback by the difficulty or unexpected nature of a problem, making it a fitting term to describe such moments of cognitive surprise or uncertainty.

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Further usage examples of boggle

1. The twists and turns of the plot in the novel can boggle the reader's comprehension.
2. The mind-bending visuals in the science fiction movie can boggle the audience.
3. The advanced computer programming code can boggle inexperienced programmers.
4. The complexity of the legal case can boggle even the most seasoned lawyers.
5. The intricacies of the quantum physics theory can boggle scientists' minds.
6. The depth of knowledge displayed by the professor can boggle the students.
7. The high-speed maneuvers of the race car drivers boggle the spectators' minds.
8. The vastness of the universe and its mysteries can boggle the imagination.
9. The precision and skill of the professional skateboarder boggle onlookers.
10. The intricate puzzle made her boggle at first.
11. The math problem made his mind boggle.
12. Trying to understand quantum physics can boggle the best minds.
13. The unexpected twist in the plot boggled the readers.
14. The sheer scale of the project boggled their minds.
15. The magician's tricks never failed to boggle the audience.
16. The complexity of the legal case boggled the lawyers.
17. Trying to juggle multiple tasks can often boggle anyone.
18. The rapid changes in technology can boggle even experts.
19. The amount of information available online can easily boggle one's mind.
20. The maze of bureaucracy can boggle newcomers to the system.
21. The intricacies of the human brain boggle scientists.
22. The foreign language's grammar rules can boggle beginners.
23. Attempting to solve the riddle boggled their brains.
24. The paradox in the philosophy text boggled the students.