# baffled

/ˈbæfəɫd/ (US) · /bˈæfəld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/baffled
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. confused

adjective · CEFR B2

completely confused and unable to understand something.

For teachers: thoroughly confused, puzzled, or perplexed by a situation that seems to have no logical explanation.

- Scientists are baffled by the strange signals coming from the deep ocean.
- The detectives were completely baffled by the lack of evidence at the crime scene, as there were no signs of forced entry or struggle.

### 2. fitted with barriers

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

having special walls or plates inside to control the flow of air, sound, or liquid.

For teachers: equipped with baffles or similar structural devices to regulate or dampen the flow of a fluid or the transmission of sound.

- The baffled exhaust system helps make the loud engine much quieter.
- The engineer specified a baffled tank design to prevent the liquid fuel from sloshing violently during rapid acceleration.

## Examples

- The students looked baffled by the complex math problem.
- She stood baffled in the kitchen, unable to figure out why the recipe had failed.
- The detective remained baffled by the lack of evidence, which suggested the crime scene had been carefully staged to mislead investigators.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.