Amazing: meaning, definitions and examples

😲
Add to dictionary

amazing

 

[ əˈmeɪzɪŋ ]

Adjective / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

describing something impressive

causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing; incredible; remarkable; extraordinary

Synonyms

astonishing, extraordinary, impressive, incredible, remarkable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
amazing

appropriate for expressing strong positive emotions about something extremely good or enjoyable.

  • The fireworks display was amazing
  • She had an amazing time at the concert
impressive

used when something causes admiration or respect due to its size, quality, or skill.

  • The architecture of the building is impressive
  • She gave an impressive performance
astonishing

suitable when something is surprising and hard to believe due to its unordinary nature.

  • Her knowledge of multiple languages is astonishing
  • The magician's tricks were astonishing
incredible

ideal for situations where something is so extraordinary that it is hard to believe; can also have a slightly exaggerated tone.

  • The view from the top of the mountain is incredible
  • They told an incredible story
remarkable

fitting for acknowledging something worth noting due to its uniqueness, significance, or outstanding quality.

  • Her recovery from the illness was remarkable
  • The scientist made a remarkable discovery
extraordinary

best used to describe something very unusual or exceptional, standing out from the ordinary.

  • He had an extraordinary talent for painting
  • The team made an extraordinary effort to win the match

Examples of usage

  • It was an amazing performance by the young musician.
  • The view from the top of the mountain was truly amazing.
  • She has an amazing talent for painting.
  • The special effects in the movie were amazing.
  • The amazing work of art left everyone speechless.
Context #2 | Verb

expressing admiration or surprise

to fill with great wonder or surprise; to astonish greatly; to amaze

Synonyms

astonish, astound, bewilder, surprise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
amazing

Describes something very impressive or extraordinary. Commonly used in casual conversation to express high praise.

  • The view from the top of the mountain is amazing.
  • She did an amazing job on the project.
astonish

Used to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. Often suggests a high level of unexpectedness.

  • His ability to speak six languages will always astonish me.
  • The magician’s tricks continue to astonish the audience.
surprise

Describes something that causes an unexpected reaction or event. General term suitable for various situations, both positive and negative.

  • The birthday party was a pleasant surprise.
  • It didn't surprise me when he got the promotion.
astound

Indicates an even greater level of surprise than 'astonish'. It often implies a sense of being overwhelmed by the unexpected.

  • The depth of his knowledge truly astounded us.
  • Her performance was so great that it astounded everyone.
bewilder

Implies confusion or puzzlement. Commonly used when something is not just surprising but also confusing or hard to understand.

  • The complex instructions completely bewildered the students.
  • I was bewildered by his strange behavior.

Examples of usage

  • I am amazed by your talent.
  • The magician's tricks never fail to amaze the audience.
  • She amazed everyone with her incredible singing voice.

Translations

Translations of the word "amazing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incrível

🇮🇳 अद्भुत

🇩🇪 erstaunlich

🇮🇩 menakjubkan

🇺🇦 дивовижний

🇵🇱 niesamowity

🇯🇵 驚くべき

🇫🇷 incroyable

🇪🇸 increíble

🇹🇷 harika

🇰🇷 놀라운

🇸🇦 مدهش

🇨🇿 úžasný

🇸🇰 úžasný

🇨🇳 惊人的

🇸🇮 neverjeten

🇮🇸 ótrúlegur

🇰🇿 керемет

🇬🇪 გასაოცარი

🇦🇿 möhtəşəm

🇲🇽 increíble

Etymology

The word 'amazing' originated from the verb 'amaze', which comes from Old English 'āmasian' meaning 'to confound, perplex'. Over time, 'amaze' evolved to 'amazing' to describe something that causes great wonder or surprise. The modern usage of 'amazing' as an adjective to describe something impressive or remarkable became popular in the late 20th century.

See also: amaze, amazed, amazement, amazingly.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,182 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.