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Definition of bamboozle

bamboozle

/bæmˈbuː.zəl/
bam · booz · le
Past Simple:bamboozled
•
Past Participle:bamboozled
•
Present Participle:bamboozling
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bamboozle Lexical Profile

bamboozle Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To fool, cheat, or deceive someone, often through elaborate trickery or fast talk (informal).

Example

"The street vendor tried to bamboozle the tourists into buying counterfeit watches."

2

To throw someone into a state of confusion, perplexity, or bewilderment (informal).

Example

"The complex legal jargon on the tax form completely bamboozled the first-time business owner."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bamboozle
Antonyms
View all antonyms for bamboozle

• Rhymes for bamboozle

• Nearby Words

bamboo
bamboo shoot
bamboo shoots
bamboozle
bamboozlement
bamboozler
ban

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 18th century as cant or slang; possibly related to Scottish 'bombaze' (to perplex or confound) or French 'embabouiner' (to make a baboon of).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bamboozle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bamboozle
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