Nonplussed

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒst

Origin

From Latin non plus ("no more, no further").

Full definition of nonplussed

Adjective

1. Bewildered; unsure how to respond or act.
• 1724, Daniel Defoe, :Note, the honest Quaker was nonplussed, and greatly surprised at that question.
• Joyce Ulysses Episode 16For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.
• 2000, Marcia Miller & Martin Lee, Vocabulary, Word of the Day"Dad was so nonplussed by the new VCR that he gave up and asked Mom to set it for him".
2. (proscribed, US, informal) Unfazed, unaffected, or unimpressed.
• 2002, April 14, Debra Pickett, SUNDAY LUNCH WITH, And while many of us might be a little taken aback if Mom showed up at our offices, Secrist is utterly nonplussed, even happy about it.
• 2003, September, Gerald F. Kreyche, John Charles Fremont; and the Exploration of the American West., One can not help but wonder how the unnecessary death of 10 men sat on Fermont's conscience. From all appearances, he seemed nonplussed and never was remorseful or contrite.
• 2004, June, Jane McConnell, Head Out!, My screams woke everyone.... My brother-in-law, Mike, was nonplussed: “Why would you get excited over a little bug like that?”

Usage notes

In recent North American English nonplussed has acquired the alternative meaning of "unimpressed". In 1999, this was considered a neologism, ostensibly from "not plussed", although "plussed" by itself is not a recognized English word. The "unimpressed" meaning is not considered standard usage by at least one authoritative source.

Synonyms

• (bewildered) perplexed, vexed, thwarted, frustrated, foiled, confounded

Verb

1. nonplussed

   (past of nonplus)