nonplussed
nonplussed
Pronunciation
non-plussed (nɑnˈplʌst)
non- (nɑn)
n - voiced alveolar nasal
ɑ - low central back unrounded vowel
n - voiced alveolar nasal
plussed (plʌst)
p - voiceless bilabial plosive
l - alveolar lateral approximant
ʌ - low central back rounded vowel
s - voiceless alveolar fricative
t - voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Nonplussed is a bit of a unique case.
It primarily functions as an adjective. There is no separate plural form for adjectives in English. So, whether you're describing one person being nonplussed or a whole crowd, you'd use "nonplussed."
There is a lesser-used verb form, nonplus, which means "to perplex or confuse someone." This verb follows standard conjugation rules: nonplus (present), nonplused (past tense), nonplussing (present participle), nonplused (past participle). However, "nonplus" is much less common than "nonplussed."
There is a rare misuse of "nonplussed" to mean "unimpressed." This is not considered standard English and is best avoided in formal writing.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Feeling confused and unsure of how to react, often due to something unexpected or surprising.
Synonyms: bewildered, perplexed, puzzled, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, discombobulated
Antonyms: confident, composed, collected, unfazed, self-assured
Definition 2 (informal, chiefly US): Not particularly impressed or bothered by something. (This usage is not considered standard English)
Synonyms (informal): unimpressed, unfazed, indifferent, blasé
Antonyms (informal): impressed, surprised, intrigued, excited
Verb (rare)
Definition: To cause someone to feel confused and unsure of how to react.
Synonyms (verb): perplex, bewilder, puzzle, confound, disconcert
Antonyms (verb): clarify, reassure, comfort, enlighten
Examples of Use
Literature:
"The butler, clearly nonplussed by the sight of a woman in trousers, stammered and ushered them into the drawing-room." (Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None)
Newspapers:
"The new mayor's unorthodox approach to city planning left many council members nonplussed." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"In a surprising turn of events, the celebrity chef was nonplussed by the home cook's innovative dish on the cooking competition show." (Buzzfeed)
Entertainment Mediums:
In a sitcom scene, a character might be nonplussed by their friend's outrageous new hairstyle.
Public Discourse:
"I explained the complex tax code changes to my parents, but they just looked nonplussed." (Casual conversation)
Social Media:
"Nonplussed by this latest plot twist in my favourite TV show. #confused #mindblown" (Twitter post)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Nonplussed
Unfortunately, due to the relative uncommonness of "nonplussed," there aren't many famous quotes specifically using this word. However, here are ten quotes that capture similar feelings of confusion, surprise, or bewilderment:
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." (Michelangelo) - Expresses a sense of underachievement.
"I learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; strange that I learned virtue from the lack of it in others." (Mevlana Rumi) - Captures the feeling of surprise at learning from unexpected sources.
"The only source of knowledge is experience." (Albert Einstein) - Highlights confusion without experience.
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon) - Expresses the unexpected nature of life's turns.
"The unexpected always happens." (Agatha Christie) - A more concise way of saying things can be nonplussing.
"Curiosity is the very first of the intellectual processes in a child." (Albert Einstein) - Curiosity often arises from something nonplussing.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." (Voltaire) - Doubt can be a result of being nonplussed.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates) - Acknowledges the limitations of understanding, a feeling similar to being nonplussed.
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." (Albert Einstein) - Curiosity often follows being confused by something.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) - Highlights the limitations of human understanding, a feeling linked to being nonplussed.
Etymology
The word "nonplussed" comes from Latin, but it's not like most English words that borrow a Latin word and just slap an "un-" on the front (like unhappy).
Origin: The key part is "non plus," which literally means "no more" in Latin. Think of it like saying "I have nothing more"
First Use: In the 1500s, English borrowed "non plus" as a noun. It meant a state of complete confusion, like being stuck with nothing left to do or say. Imagine being so surprised you can't even think of a response!
From Noun to Adjective: Soon after, English turned "non plus" into a verb, "to nonplus," which meant to confuse someone to that point.
Nonplussed: By the 1600s, we got "nonplussed," the past participle of the verb (like "walked" from "to walk"). This became the most common way to say someone was utterly confused.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Nonplussed
While there aren't many idiomatic phrases set in stone with "nonplussed," here are some creative ways to use the word in expressions:
Left nonplussed: This is a straightforward way to say someone was confused by something.
Struck nonplussed: This emphasises the suddenness of the confusion.
At a complete nonplus: This is a more emphatic way to say someone is utterly bewildered.
Nonplussed into silence: This highlights the effect of confusion, leaving someone speechless.
Nonplussed by the turn of events: This emphasises the unexpected nature of something that caused confusion.
In addition to these, you can also use "nonplussed" creatively in figurative speech:
He was a fish out of water, utterly nonplussed by the city's pace. (Simile)
The question hung in the air, nonplussed by any answer. (Personification)
Posts Related to Nonplussed
Source Information
Definition of nonplussed from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
