Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

discombobulate

/ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɒb.jəˌleɪt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.25 in modern English

Syllables: dis-com-bob-u-late
IPA: /ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɒb.jəˌleɪt/

23

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

5

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To throw into a state of confusion; to befuddle or perplex.

Humorous; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Can't you and I pretend to quarrel? A personal assault by you on me will wake these people up and discombobulate Goldsmith. Say the word—only don't hit too hard."
"The notes zigzag in his pieces and discombobulate the ear, just as in 12-tone works."
"First, distract target. Then block his blind jab. Counter with cross to left cheek. Discombobulate. Dazed, he'll attempt wild haymaker. Employ elbow block."

Etymology

Fanciful variant of discompose, discomfit, etc., originally discombobricate. The -bob- interfix may come from bobbery, meaning “commotion, noise”. First attested in 1834 in the United States.

Origin

First known use: First attested in 1834

Usage

Inflected Forms

discombobulates (present, singular) discombobulating (participle, present) discombobulated (participle, past) discombobulated (past) discomboberate (alternative) discombulate (alternative) discombobricate (alternative) discombooberate (alternative)

Derived Forms

discombobulation discombobulative discombobulator

Synonyms

confuse throw fox befuddle fuddle bedevil confound bewilder bemuse

Antonyms

combobulate recombobulate

Questions

How do you pronounce discombobulate?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɒb.jəˌleɪt/.
What does discombobulate mean?: To throw into a state of confusion; to befuddle or perplex.
Where does discombobulate come from?: First known use: First attested in 1834.

How to pronounce discombobulate

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “discombobulate”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɒb.jəˌleɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “discombobulate”.
Repeat and practice — Say “discombobulate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.