Dazzling: meaning, definitions and examples

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dazzling

 

[ˈdæz.əlɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

appearance

extremely bright, impressive, or beautiful

Synonyms

beautiful, bright, impressive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dazzling

Use for something impressively bright or stunning to the point of being temporarily blinding. Can also describe extraordinary beauty or brilliance.

  • The fireworks display was absolutely dazzling, leaving the audience in awe.
  • Her dazzling smile lit up the entire room.
bright

Describes something that is giving off a lot of light or is vividly colorful. Can also refer to someone who is intelligent or cheerful.

  • The room was bright and full of light.
  • She is a very bright student, always achieving high grades.
impressive

Used for something that arouses admiration through size, quality, or skill. Often denotes respect or awe.

  • His performance in the competition was highly impressive.
beautiful

Suitable for describing someone or something that is very pleasing to the senses or the mind. Generally positive and can be used widely.

  • The sunset over the ocean was truly beautiful.
  • She wore a beautiful dress to the gala.

Examples of usage

  • The fireworks display was truly dazzling.
  • Her smile was dazzling, lighting up the room.
  • The actress wore a dazzling gown on the red carpet.
  • The sun reflected off the water in a dazzling display.
  • The city skyline at night is truly dazzling.
Context #2 | Verb

impress

greatly impress or astonish someone with skill or beauty

Synonyms

amaze, astonish, impress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dazzling

Used to describe something extremely bright, beautiful or impressive, often causing people to feel stunned or overwhelmed.

  • The actress wore a dazzling dress that left everyone speechless.
  • The fireworks display was absolutely dazzling.
impress

Mainly used when wanting to highlight something favorable or remarkable about someone or something, making others feel admiration or respect.

  • He hoped his presentation would impress his new boss.
  • The athlete's determination and skill never fail to impress the spectators.
astonish

Used when something causes an overwhelming sense of surprise or wonder, often more formal or intense than 'amaze'.

  • It astonished me to learn that she spoke five languages fluently.
  • The speed at which technology evolves continues to astonish even experts.
amaze

Appropriate when talking about something that causes great surprise or astonishment.

  • Her ability to solve complex math problems amazed her teachers.
  • The magician's performance never fails to amaze the audience.

Examples of usage

  • The magician's tricks never failed to dazzle the audience.
  • Her performance on stage dazzled everyone in the audience.
  • The artist's paintings dazzled art critics around the world.
  • His intelligence and wit never failed to dazzle his colleagues.
  • The acrobat's daring stunts dazzled the crowd.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'dasian,' which means to be blinded by light.
  • The suffix '-ling' often implies a small or lesser version of something, but in this case, it enhances the sense of brightness.
  • Historically, the term has been used to describe brilliant performances or visual spectacles.

Science

  • Dazzling light can lead to temporary blindness or discomfort, suggesting that it overwhelms the visual system.
  • Certain animals, like certain species of fish and birds, use dazzling colors to attract mates or ward off predators.
  • The human eye perceives dazzling light thanks to photoreceptor cells, which process bright stimuli, affecting how we perceive our environment.

Pop Culture

  • The dazzling effects in movies often use bright colors and fast cuts to create excitement and keep viewers engaged.
  • In fashion, dazzling outfits featuring sequins and bright colors can make wearers stand out at events.
  • Iconic performances, like those of pop stars, often described as dazzling due to their visual spectacle and captivating energy.

Art

  • Impressionist painters often aimed to capture dazzling effects of light in their landscapes, influencing how art was viewed.
  • The use of dazzling colors can create contrast that draws the viewer's eye in artistic compositions.
  • Some art installations use dazzling lights as part of their design to immerse the audience in a unique sensory experience.

Literature

  • In literature, dazzling characters are often depicted as enchanting or magnetic, drawing others to them.
  • Many poets describe nature with dazzling imagery, evoking feelings of wonder and admiration.
  • The use of dazzling language can elevate a narrative, making scenes more vivid and engaging for readers.

Translations

Translations of the word "dazzling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deslumbrante

🇮🇳 चमकदार

🇩🇪 blendend

🇮🇩 mempesona

🇺🇦 засліплюючий

🇵🇱 oszałamiający

🇯🇵 まばゆい

🇫🇷 éblouissant

🇪🇸 deslumbrante

🇹🇷 büyüleyici

🇰🇷 눈부신

🇸🇦 مبهر

🇨🇿 oslnivý

🇸🇰 oslnivý

🇨🇳 耀眼的

🇸🇮 osupljiv

🇮🇸 stórkostlegur

🇰🇿 керемет

🇬🇪 გასაოცარი

🇦🇿 göz qamaşdırıcı

🇲🇽 deslumbrante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,367, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.