What does flabbergasting mean?
Flabbergasting describes something so surprising that it leaves people stunned, bewildered, or momentarily lost for words. It is the present-participle form of the verb "flabbergast," used adjectivally to characterize the source of astonishment rather than the person experiencing it: one says "a flabbergasting result" but "I was flabbergasted by the result." The word belongs to an informal, expressive register and is common in journalism, conversation, and commentary, where writers reach for it when ordinary terms like "surprising" feel inadequate. Its connotations are usually vivid and energetic, sometimes admiring — a flabbergasting performance — and occasionally incredulous or disapproving, as in a flabbergasting lapse of judgment. The parent verb arose in Britain in the late eighteenth century as a playful, invented-sounding word of uncertain origin, and while the verb itself now sounds quaint, "flabbergasted" and "flabbergasting" have endured as some of English's most colorful ways to convey sheer astonishment.
adjectiveExtremely surprising or astonishing; causing utter bewilderment or astonishment.
- (of a thing or event) Causing overwhelming surprise or astonishment; utterly astounding.
"The final score was absolutely flabbergasting — no one had predicted such a rout."
"The magician performed a flabbergasting trick that left the entire audience speechless."
"It was a flabbergasting turn of events for a company that had seemed untouchable only weeks earlier."
"Flabbergast" appeared in the late 18th century as a fanciful mash-up — possibly of "flabby" or "flap" and "aghast" — and nobody has ever pinned down its true origin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of flabbergasting
Flabbergasting derives from the verb "flabbergast," which first appeared in written English in the late eighteenth century, likely in Britain. The verb's origin is genuinely uncertain: it appears to be a humorous formation blending an element like "flabby" or "flap" with "gast," meaning to frighten, as seen in "aghast." The "gast" element traces back through Middle English to Old English "gāstan" (to terrify), making the word a distant cousin of "ghost," "aghast," and "ghastly." No exact first-attested year or author has been securely established.
Related word forms
How flabbergasting is actually used
"Flabbergasting" is informal to semi-formal in register and carries an emphatic, often delighted connotation, though it can express shock at unpleasant things too. It functions chiefly as a present-participle adjective and is typically intensified with "absolutely" or "utterly." Though the underlying verb "flabbergast" is somewhat dated and playful in tone, its adjective forms remain lively and current in both British and American English.
Easily confused with flabbergasting
"Flabbergasted" describes the person who is astonished, while "flabbergasting" describes the thing that causes the astonishment.