bamboozle

verb bam·boo·zle \bam-ˈbü-zəl\

: to trick or confuse (someone)

bam·boo·zledbam·boo·zling\-ˈbüz-liŋ, -ˈbü-zə-\

Full Definition of BAMBOOZLE

transitive verb

: to deceive by underhanded methods : dupe, hoodwink

: to confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely <a quarterback bamboozled by an unexpected defense>

— bam·boo·zle·ment \-ˈbü-zəl-mənt\ noun

See bamboozle defined for English-language learners

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1703

Synonyms: deceive, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick

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