Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bamboozle

/bæmˈbu.zl̩/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.16 in modern English

Syllables: bam-boo-zle
IPA: /bæmˈbu.zl̩/

24

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To con, defraud, trick, to make a fool of, to humbug or impose on someone.

Informal; Transitive verb

verb

To confuse, frustrate or perplex.

Informal; Transitive verb

noun

A cheat, hoax, or imposition.

Informal; Obsolete

Example Sentences

"“Look here, friend,” said I, “if you have anything important to tell us, out with it; but if you are only trying to bamboozle us, you are mistaken in your game; that’s all I have to say.”"
"‘A clever ruse to bamboozle us.’"
"You thought it was nope. But actually it's a pupper. Bamboozled again."
"He's completely bamboozled by the changes in the computer system."
""Although Morphy misplays the opening, it does not take him long to bamboozle his opponent.""
"Clarke's defence, bolstered by the return of Grant Hanley, was bamboozled by a flurry of Faroese raids, at least one of which should have delivered a goal."

Etymology

Derivative of 17th-century vernacular bam (“to trick, to con”), which is a derivative of bam in noun use (fraudster, cheat). Possibly from French embobiner.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /bæmˈbu.zl̩/
British English: /bæmˈbuː.zl̩/

Usage

Inflected Forms

bamboozles (present, singular) bamboozling (participle, present) bamboozled (participle, past) bamboozled (past) bambooze (alternative, obsolete) bamboozles (plural)

Derived Forms

bamboozl(e)able bamboozlement bamboozler bambosh bamfoozle debamboozle

Synonyms

snow hoodwink pull the wool over someone's eyes lead by the nose play false

Questions

How do you pronounce bamboozle?: The recorded pronunciation is /bæmˈbu.zl̩/.
What does bamboozle mean?: To con, defraud, trick, to make a fool of, to humbug or impose on someone.
Where does bamboozle come from?: Derivative of 17th-century vernacular bam (“to trick, to con”), which is a derivative of bam in noun use (fraudster, cheat). Possibly from French embobiner.

How to pronounce bamboozle

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bamboozle”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/bæmˈbu.zl̩/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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