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stumped
/stʌmpt/
confused or unable to answer
The difficult question stumped the expert.
The expert was unable to answer the question.
informal
to confuse or puzzle someone, making them unable to answer or respond
The riddle stumped even the smartest students.
The riddle was so difficult that even the smartest students couldn't solve it.
I was completely stumped by the math problem.
I couldn't figure out the math problem at all.
Often used in informal contexts to describe being confused or at a loss for words.
informal
to cut down a tree by chopping at its base
The lumberjacks stumped the old oak tree.
The lumberjacks cut down the old oak tree by chopping at its base.
This meaning is less common and more literal.
Collocations
stumped byconfused or unable to answer somethingstumped for an answerunable to think of a response
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Stumped' is often used to describe being confused or unable to answer a question. For example, 'The question stumped me.' means 'I couldn't answer the question.'
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'stumped' depends on the context. In most cases, it means 'confused,' but it can also mean 'cut down a tree.'
Word Origin
From Middle English 'stompen' (to trample), related to Old English 'stumpian' (to trample). The figurative sense of 'to confuse' emerged in the 19th century.
Usage Notes
The verb 'stumped' is often used in informal contexts to describe being confused or unable to answer a question. It can also refer to cutting down a tree, but this meaning is less common.
Word Breakdown
stump
the base of a tree after it has been cut down
root-ed
past tense or past participle
suffixEnglish Dictionary