French Conversation · Level 63
76 words
French word
perplexe
Pronunciation
IPA/pɛʁplɛks/
Meaning
- adjectivepuzzled
Example
Je suis perplexe.
I am puzzled.
More examples
Elle est restée perplexe après l'explication.
She remained perplexed after the explanation.
Core concept
A person stopped at a tangled set of clues, unsure which explanation or response to follow.
Common phrases
être perplexe
be perplexed
paraître perplexe
appear perplexed
se sentir perplexe
feel perplexed
Similar words
perdu: Without a clear sense of direction or what to do in the situation.
confus: Mentally muddled, with thoughts or information too disorganized for clear judgment.
déconcerté: Briefly bewildered by an unforeseen event and uncertain how to respond.
désorienté: Disoriented by unclear surroundings or instructions, with no clear course of action.
Definition in French
Qui, ne trouvant pas de réponse claire, ressent une hésitation mêlée d'étonnement.
Word origin
French perplexe comes from Latin perplexus, meaning entangled or confused, from a verb formed with per- and plectere, 'to weave or entangle'.
Usage tips
- Perplexe has the same singular form for masculine and feminine subjects, as in il est perplexe and elle est perplexe.
Other meanings
- perplexedadjective
- confusedadjective
Opposites
- certaincertainadjective
- assuréconfidentadjective
Related words
- perplexitéperplexitynoun