Stun
stʌn
Definitions
2 meaningsTo cause someone to become unconscious or disoriented, usually for a short period.
stʌn
To daze or shock someone, often temporarily, causing a loss of consciousness or awareness.
The unexpected news stunned her into silence.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're surprised or shocked. Like when you see a magic trick and you're like, 'Wow, I'm speechless!' That's kind of like being stunned. Your brain just needs a moment to catch up.
👶 For kids: To make someone feel super surprised or dizzy, like when you see a really loud firework.
More Examples
The punch stunned him, and he stumbled backward.
The bright lights of the paparazzi cameras stunned the celebrity.
How It's Used
"The loud explosion stunned the crowd."
"The blow to the head stunned him momentarily."
"The special effects stunned the audience."
A state of shock or confusion; temporary loss of awareness.
stʌn
The state of being stunned or shocked.
The news of the win left the team in a stun.
💡 Simply: It's like when something happens that surprises you so much that you can't think clearly for a little while. You're kind of frozen in place with surprise.
👶 For kids: Feeling super surprised and a little bit dizzy, like when you're watching a scary movie.
More Examples
She recovered from the stun and began to explain what happened.
The accident left him in a stun for several minutes.
How It's Used
"He was in a complete stun after the accident."
"The boxer was in a stun after getting hit by a hard right hook."
Idioms & expressions
stun gun
A weapon that temporarily disables a person with an electric shock.
"The police officer used a stun gun to subdue the suspect."
stun lock
A situation in which a person is repeatedly stunned, unable to act, often in video games.
"The player was trapped in a stun lock from the enemy's repeated attacks."
From Old English *stunian* 'to make a loud noise, to strike'.
The word 'stun' has been used since the 15th century to describe the act of being knocked senseless.
Memory tip
Think of being hit in a boxing match; you are stunned and unable to react.
Word Origin
"to make a loud noise, to strike"