What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Nonplussed vs Excited - What's the difference?

nonplussed | excited |

As adjectives the difference between nonplussed and excited

is that nonplussed is bewildered; unsure how to respond or act while excited is having great enthusiasm.

As verbs the difference between nonplussed and excited

is that nonplussed is (nonplus) while excited is .

nonplussed

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Bewildered; unsure how to respond or act.
  • * 1724 , (Daniel Defoe), :
    • Note, the honest Quaker was nonplussed , and greatly surprised at that question.
  • * Episode 16
    • For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.
  • * 2000 , Marcia Miller & Martin Lee, Vocabulary, Word of the Day
    • "Dad was so nonplussed by the new VCR that he gave up and asked Mom to set it for him ".
  • (proscribed, US, informal) Unfazed, unaffected, or unimpressed.
  • *
  • *
  • *

    • Usage notes

    In recent North American English nonplussed has acquired the alternative meaning of "unimpressed". In 1999, this was considered a neologism, ostensibly from "not plussed", although "plussed" by itself is not a recognized English word. The "unimpressed" meaning is not considered standard usage by at least one authoritative source.{{cite web , url = http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/nonplussed?view=uk , title = askOxford: nonplussed , accessdate = 2007-04-20 , language = English }}

    Synonyms

    * (bewildered) perplexed, vexed, thwarted, frustrated, foiled, confounded

    Verb

    (head)
  • (nonplus)

    • References

    excited

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having great enthusiasm.
    • He was very excited about his promotion.
  • * 2011 , (Rebecca Black) featuring
    • Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday
    Today i-is Friday, Friday
    We-we-we so excited
    We so excited
    We gonna have a ball today.
  • (physics) Being in a state of higher energy.
    • The excited electrons give off light when they drop to a lower energy state.
  • Having an erection; erect.

    • Synonyms

    * enthusiastic

    Derived terms

    * excited state

    Verb

    (head)
    • 1000 English basic words