bemused

IPA/bɪˈmjuːzd/
KK[bɪmjˈuzd]IPA/bɪˈmjuːzd/

bemused — adjective

  • bemusedpositive
  • more bemusedcomparative
  • most bemusedsuperlative

1. feeling or showing a mild state of confusion, as though you are not quite sure w

1.形容詞B2
釋義

feeling or showing a mild state of confusion, as though you are not quite sure what is happening or what something means

例句

Kasia looked bemused when her teacher suddenly switched to speaking French.

The badly written instructions left even the engineer bemused.

pattern: leave + object + bemused

同義詞
  • confused

    broader and can describe stronger levels of not understanding

  • puzzled

    implies active curiosity about something unclear, while bemused is more passive

  • bewildered

    stronger and more disoriented than bemused

  • perplexed

    more formal, often suggests a problem that is hard to solve

反義詞
  • clear

    having no confusion or doubt

  • certain

    completely sure about something

文法句型

be/seem/look + bemused

bemused + noun

用法筆記

Often describes a facial expression or tone of voice that shows mild puzzlement rather than strong bewilderment. Frequently used with nouns such as look, smile, or expression.

常見錯誤

❌The clown's tricks bemused the children.
✅The clown's tricks amused the children.
💡bemused means confused, not entertained, despite the similar sound.
❌She was totally bemused by the physics exam.
✅She was completely confused by the physics exam.
💡bemused suggests a mild, thoughtful confusion, not a complete lack of understanding.

2. so completely absorbed in your own thoughts that you do not notice what is happe

2.形容詞C1
釋義

so completely absorbed in your own thoughts that you do not notice what is happening around you

例句

Felipe sat bemused by the window, watching the rain without really seeing it.

Anna was so bemused by her novel that she did not hear the phone ring.

so bemused by [something] that [result]

同義詞
  • absorbed

    neutral term without the nuance of mental absence from surroundings

  • preoccupied

    often suggests worry or distraction rather than pleasant reflection

  • engrossed

    implies active engagement, while bemused is more dreamy and passive

  • lost in thought

    a common phrase that overlaps closely with this sense of bemused

反義詞
  • alert

    fully aware and paying attention to the surroundings

  • attentive

    actively focusing on what is happening nearby

文法句型

be/become + bemused

bemused + noun

用法筆記

More literary or formal than sense 1. Often describes someone thinking about memories or abstract ideas while physically present but mentally absent from their surroundings.