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bemused

bemused

1 6.7
Lost in thought and not paying attention to what is around
  • adjective
  • /bɪˈmjuːzd/
translation icon : absorto
  • He was a perfect miniature of a man, Heikki thought, bemused.
  • bemused smile

Examples

  • Then after a moment... a very long moment... a calm, bemused Tweed raises his glass.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • My, but you are a dull lot, aren't you?" the bemused voice commented.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Resting on his pitchfork, he looked at me intently, bemused yet kindly, pausing to expectorate and wipe his mouth with his flannel sleeve from time to time as we talked.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • After listening to the complicated explanation, she sat there, bemused, trying to understand what he meant.

  • He glanced around the unfamiliar room with a bemused expression, lost in thought about how he got there.

  • The teacher looked bemused as her students failed to grasp the basic concept she had just explained.

Synonyms

preoccupied
vsbemused
32 4.5

Thinking so much about something that you do not notice what is happening around you

involves focused thought without the worrying or anxious tone
lost in thought
vsbemused
7 4.2

Thinking so much that you do not notice what is around you

shows deep concentration but stays partly aware of surroundings
enthralled
vsbemused
3 6.9

Very interested and full of wonder, unable to look away

centers on inward concentration rather than joyful external fascination
engrossed
vsbemused
1 4.5

Paying all your attention to something because you are very interested

turns attention inward to thought rather than active involvement
fascinated
vsbemused
1 2.1

Very interested and unable to stop paying attention

leans toward internal reflective thought instead of external attraction
lost
vsbemused
1 5.0

Absorbed in thought and not aware of your surroundings

focuses inwardly with abstract concentration yet may notice surroundings
entranced
vsbemused
1 5.8

Amazed and very happy so you cannot look away

stays in inward thoughtful absorption rather than being externally amazed
hypnotized
vsbemused
  • US
1 5.3

Your attention is fixed as if under a spell

involves thoughtful mental absorption rather than trance like fixation
abstracted
vsbemused
7.1

Thinking deeply about something else and not noticing what is around you

is absorbed in thoughtful concentration rather than dreamy detachment
absorbed
vsbemused
3.6

Giving all your attention to something and not noticing other things

focuses inwardly on thought rather than on active interest
captivated
vsbemused
3.9

Very interested and pleased so you cannot stop watching or listening

directs inward thinking rather than being drawn by external charm
mesmerized
vsbemused
  • US
6.0

Unable to look away because something is very interesting

reflects inward thought and concentration rather than enchanted fixation
transfixed
vsbemused
6.7

Unable to look away and to move because you feel very surprised or amazed

means inward contemplative concentration rather than immobile awe or shock

Antonyms

16 4.8

Not paying attention to one thing and having no clear goal

Not able to pay attention because your mind is on other things

How Absorbed

engrossed
1 4.5
absorbed
3.6
bemused
1 6.7
preoccupied
32 4.5

Surface Forms

bemused positive

Morphology

bemused = muse (semi-transparent) = be + muse

The prefix 'be-' typically means 'thoroughly' or 'completely', but the specific meaning of 'bemused' as 'deeply absorbed in thought' is not fully predictable from 'muse'.

Etymology

Bemused comes from the parts be- and muse, with muse meaning 'to think'. So bemused can mean 'made thoughtful' or 'lost in thought', which explains the sense of being deeply absorbed in one's own ideas.