# stumped

/ˈstəmpt/ (US) · /stˈʌmpt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stumped
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

feeling completely confused or unable to find an answer. You use this when you are stuck on a problem and cannot move forward.

For teachers: feeling completely baffled or unable to solve a problem. Often used in the passive voice to indicate a state of confusion.

## Examples

- I am completely stumped by this math problem.
- The detective was stumped by the lack of evidence and had to start the investigation from scratch.
- Even the most experienced engineers were stumped by the sudden failure of the software, as the error logs provided no clear indication of the underlying cause.

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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.