English Explanatory Dictionary

nonplussed

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Unsure how to act or respond; bewildered, perplexed.
  2. Unaffected, unfazed; unimpressed.
verb
  1. simple past and past participle of nonplus

Pronunciation

/nɒnˈplʌst/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-nonplussed.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-Nonplussed.wav /ˌnɑnˈplʌst/

Word forms

nonplussed more nonplussed most nonplussed non-plussed

Etymology

From nonplus (“state of bewilderment or perplexity”, noun) or nonplus (“to bewilder or perplex (someone)”, verb) + -ed (suffix forming adjectives, and the past tense and past participle forms of verbs). Nonplus (noun) is derived from Latin nōn plūs (“no further, no more”), from nōn (“not”) + plūs (“additionally, more; further”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- (“to fill”)). The etymological sense is similar to being left speechless as a result of confusion: the nonplussed person can say or do “no more”. Adjective sense 2 (“unaffected”) is probably from a misinterpretation of the first element of the word as the prefix non- meaning “not”.

Synonyms

confounded vexed lost for words addle-pated addled addlepated at a loss at a loss for words at sea at sixes and sevens baffled befuddled bewildered confused confuzzled dazed dazzled discombobulated disconcerted dumbfounded flabagasted flabbergasted flabbergastered flummoxed flustered fluttered jumbled minussed misled mixed up muddled muzzy mystified nonplussed not with it out of it out to lunch perplexed punch-drunk puzzled spaced out speechless stumped stymied thrown up a tree blasé jaded adiaphroistic apathetic apathistical blithe deaf cool shiftless dispassionate dull enervated gallionic halfhearted

Antonyms

plussed

Derived words

nonplussedness
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