How to pronounce flabbergast
Say it like FLAB-er-gast. Flabbergast has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FLAB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce flabbergast. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FLAB
- er
- gast
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Flabbergast pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FLABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- gastGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of flabbergast
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: FLAB-uh-gahst.
What does flabbergast mean?
- To overwhelm with bewilderment; to amaze, confound, or stun, especially in a ludicrous manner.“He was flabbergasted to find that his work had been done for him before he began.”
- An awkward person.
- Overwhelming confusion, shock, or surprise.“His flabbergast was so great he couldn’t even come up with a plausible answer.”
Where does flabbergast come from?
The noun is derived from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying flabbergast
How do you pronounce flabbergast?
Say FLAB-er-gast. The American pronunciation is /ˈflæbɚˌɡæst/. In British English it is /ˈflæbəˌɡɑːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in flabbergast?
Flabbergast has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FLAB). Broken into parts: FLAB · er · gast.
Is flabbergast pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈflæbəˌɡɑːst/ (FLAB-uh-gahst).