Word for Today: Discombobulate
@pgiblett (6524)
Canada
December 28, 2015 9:39am CST
Today I have picked on an unusual word, but I like to look at those words we don't use everyday because it is such words that extend how you use the language.
Word: Discombobulate
Pronunciation: dis kem baabyelaat
A VERB meaning to disconcert, confuse, upset, or frustrate.
This is a word that shouldn't be an easy substitution for any of those words, to me it implies a higher level of confusion, upsetting, or frustration - almost as if by plan or design, where the intention is to throw another person's plan into confusion.
The word is believed to have come into use around 1825 and may be American in origin and may be a whimsical alteration of either discompose or discomfit.
11 people like this
12 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
28 Dec 15
It isn't unusual in this house - I use that word a lot.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
28 Dec 15
But why do we have to use such complicated word the pronunciation of which does not go in line with spellings, and there are more letters too for typing and more consonants to pronounce when we could simply use "upset" or "confuse" instead? I think Mr. Giblett should have given an example of how it is to be used in a sentence and why other synonyms would not be ok in that place.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
4 Jan 16
I learned a word today ~ never heard of this word before. 
Thank you for this post!
Thank you for this post!1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
3 Jan 16
That's one of my favorite words and I use it all the time 
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
29 Dec 15
it is a lovely word we use far too seldom
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
28 Dec 15
I remember the word.But have not use or heard it for some time now.
