floored
Definition
Adjective: 1. Provided with a floor; having a floor installed or laid down: Describes a space or structure that has been given a finished floor surface. 2. (Informal, by extension) Overwhelmed, astonished, or brought to a state of shock or speechlessness: This figurative meaning derives from the idea of being knocked down to the floor.
Usage
The primary, literal meaning describes the physical state of a room or building. The secondary, informal meaning is used to describe a person's emotional or mental state after an unexpected event or piece of information.
Examples
- Literal meaning:
- The newly constructed room was finally floored with beautiful oak planks.
- Is the basement floored yet, or is it still just concrete?
- Figurative/Informal meaning:
- I was completely floored by the news of her resignation.
- His incredible generosity floored everyone at the meeting.
Advanced Usage
- "to floor someone" (verb): This is the verbal form from which the adjective's figurative sense originates. It means to astonish or shock someone greatly, or literally to knock someone down.
- The final plot twist in the movie really floored the audience.
Variants and Related Words
- Floor (noun): The lower surface of a room.
- Floor (verb): 1. To provide with a floor. 2. To knock down. 3. To astonish.
- Flooring (noun): Material used for making floors.
Synonyms
- For the literal meaning: paved, surfaced, laid.
- For the figurative meaning: astonished, astounded, stunned, shocked, dumbfounded, speechless.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- To be floored by something: This is the standard idiomatic construction using the adjective in its figurative sense.
- She was floored by the positive response to her project.
Adjective
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provided with a floor
