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Definition of mystify verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mystify

verb
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/
[often passive]
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they mystify
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪ/
he / she / it mystifies
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪz/
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪz/
past simple mystified
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪd/
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪd/
past participle mystified
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪd/
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪd/
-ing form mystifying
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪɪŋ/
 
/ˈmɪstɪfaɪɪŋ/
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  1. to make somebody confused because they do not understand something synonym baffle
    • be mystified (by something) They were totally mystified by the girl's disappearance.
    Extra Examples
    • I've always been mystified why private schools are called public schools.
    • Staff were mystified as to how the thieves managed to get away with it.
    • The popularity of the programme mystifies me.
    Word Originearly 19th cent.: from French mystifier, formed irregularly from mystique ‘mystic’ or from mystère ‘mystery’.
See mystify in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
indeed
adverb
 
 
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