Appalled
/əˈpɔːld/
adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To be greatly shocked and disgusted.
/əˈpɔːld/
adjectivenegativeIntermediate
General
Feeling or showing extreme dismay or horror.
I was appalled by the state of the room.
💡 Simply: Very shocked and disgusted.
More Examples
2
He was appalled at her rudeness.
How It's Used
Literature
"She was appalled by the violence in the film."
Everyday conversation
"I was appalled at his behavior."
From Middle English *apalled, past participle of appallen, from Old French apaler, from a- + paler to grow pale, from Latin pallidus pale.
The word has maintained a consistently negative connotation throughout its history.
Memory tip
Imagine your face turning pale (pallid) with horror.
Practice
Base: appal
apalledapalled
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written