Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective chiefly UK, slang
Flabbergasted ,astounded ,speechless ,overawed .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective utterly astounded
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word gobsmacked.
Examples
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To say I was gobsmacked is something of an understatement.
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I always liked the British slang "gobsmacked" -- it sounds a little violent, but sometimes you do just feel smacked by whatever's happening around you, you know?
Dru Blood - I believe in the inherent goodness of all beings: Stunned 2005
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Much to my surprise - I wrote at the time I was "gobsmacked" - he had indeed left his wife whom Casey believes had no knowledge of the affair and a more confident Casey was moving to his city to be with him.
The Seattle Times 2011
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Constitutional Court judges were "gobsmacked" when they learnt that
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BONUS BOOT TO THE NADS: TPM's Josh Marshall refers to this as getting "gobsmacked":
Archive 2008-10-01 CC 2008
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He denied it was intentional, saying he was "gobsmacked" by the charge, but a FIFA disciplinary committee on Saturday found him guilty of violent conduct.
USATODAY.com - FIFA punishment: Two-game ban for Rooney, Argentina loses two players 2006
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Anyone who can use a word like "gobsmacked" deserves to go to Blogher.
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Anyway, I was kind of gobsmacked by his talent and I was talking to my mum about it later this afternoon.
sheepdip Diary Entry sheepdip 2002
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Top End Tourism spokeswoman Sylvia Wolf was "gobsmacked" at the outcome.
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Mrs Moore said she was "gobsmacked" to hear the company had ceased trading.
BBC News - Home 2011
bilby commented on the word gobsmacked
Nasty signature ... ouch, ouch!
November 24, 2008
rolig commented on the word gobsmacked
Somehow I don't see this word as the "essence of English", bnl.
November 24, 2008
bnl2709 commented on the word gobsmacked
Sorry Rolig...I was just creating an empty shell of a list for John to import the full list of the 2,709 words of English that make up 90% of any text and 95%+ of spoken English sometime soon. I was just playing around with what HTML codes are allowed (see CONCORDANCE link to the word "accommodate") and Turkish characters (I live in a Turkish speaking country, so we provide a Turkish translation of the most common meanings of the most commonly used words) so I deliberately chose an 'offlist' word like gobsmacked so I can delete it later after the import.
If you're curious about the research behind our list and the pedagogical implications, follow the lexitronics link or go to http://bnl2709.edublogs.org/colour-of-words - the vocabulary profiler using our words is available at http://lextutor.ca/vp/bnl
November 25, 2008
bnl2709 commented on the word gobsmacked
Concordance
Powered by lexitronics
November 25, 2008
bilby commented on the word gobsmacked
So why not put this stuff on your profile? And not on specific words?
November 25, 2008
bnl2709 commented on the word gobsmacked
Bilby...I had put a couple links to the research base for BNL2709 in my profile, but it is a good idea to add a few more cross-links to Cobb's Lextutor site. Thanks for the suggestion. :)
I am quite new to WORDIE so I haven't explored all the nooks and crannies. I have put the CONCORDANCE link in as a comment because I am exploring the idea of 'data-driven learning' in terms of learning English as a foreign language. I had suggested to John that another link be added to this resource along with the various links to dictionaries, etc., but John felt it was too specific to be of general interest.
I'm just experimenting at the moment...the idea is to use this with EFL learners who need to develop an in depth knowledge of the most commonly used words in English, because they aren't exposed to English outside the classroom. Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
November 25, 2008
sionnach commented on the word gobsmacked
bnl2709: Are you saying that your primary interest in Wordie is for its potential use as a mechanism for disseminating your own particular agenda? If so, I can fully understand why John might feel it's not of general interest.
November 25, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word gobsmacked
Welcome to Wordie, bnl2709! You might want to spend a few minutes checking out this site and what it's all about. It shouldn't take more than about ten minutes.
November 26, 2008