boggle

UK: /ˈbɒg^əl/ US: /ˈbɑgəl/ ,(bog′əl)

Inflections of 'boggle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

boggles

v 3rd person singular

boggling

v pres p

boggled

v past

boggled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bog•gle¹ /ˈbɑgəl/   v., -gled, -gling. 

1. to (cause the mind to) be overwhelmed: [~ + at + object] :
   The mind boggles at the thought (idea) of such distances as light years.
   [~ + object]
   Vast distances boggle the mind.
2. to hesitate because of fear or a scruple:
   [no object] We shouldn't boggle at this opportunity to make a profit.

bog•gler, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bog•gle¹  (bog′əl), v., -gled, -gling, n. 
v.t. 

1. to overwhelm or bewilder, as with the magnitude, complexity, or abnormality of:
   The speed of light boggles the mind.
2. to bungle;
   botch.

v.i. 

3. to hesitate or waver because of scruples, fear, etc.
4. to start or jump with fear, alarm, or surprise;
   shrink;
   shy.
5. to bungle awkwardly.
6. to be overwhelmed or bewildered.

n. 

7. an act of shying or taking alarm.
8. a scruple;
   demur;
   hesitation.
9. bungle;
   botch.

• perh. from boggle² 1590–1600

bog′gling•ly, adv. 

bog•gle²  (bog′əl), n. 

1. bogle.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

boggle / ˈbɒɡ^əl/ verb (intransitive) often followed by at:

1. to be surprised, confused, or alarmed (esp in the phrase the mind boggles)
2. to hesitate or be evasive when confronted with a problem

Etymology: 16th Century: probably variant of bogle¹