Incredible: meaning, definitions and examples

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incredible

 

[ ɪnˈkrɛdəbəl ]

Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

amazing

Impossible to believe; astonishing.

Synonyms

amazing, astonishing, extraordinary, remarkable, unbelievable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incredible

Use when describing something that is hard to believe due to its extraordinariness.

  • The magician's trick was incredible.
  • Her recovery after the illness was incredible.
amazing

Used for something that causes great surprise or wonder.

  • The fireworks show was amazing.
  • He has done an amazing job with the project.
unbelievable

Often used to describe something so extraordinary that it seems impossible; may imply skepticism or disbelief.

  • His story was unbelievable.
  • The view from the mountain was unbelievable.
astonishing

Implies something extremely surprising or impressive.

  • The speed of the car was astonishing.
  • Her performance was astonishing.
remarkable

Used for something worthy of attention or notice.

  • She has a remarkable talent for painting.
  • This is a remarkable achievement.
extraordinary

Reserved for something very unusual or remarkable.

  • He showed extraordinary bravery.
  • The architecture of the building is extraordinary.

Examples of usage

  • That was an incredible performance by the singer.
  • The view from the top of the mountain was incredible.
  • The special effects in the movie were truly incredible.
  • She told an incredible story about her travels around the world.
  • The team's comeback was nothing short of incredible.
Context #2 | Adjective

unbelievable

Difficult to believe; extraordinary.

Synonyms

amazing, astonishing, extraordinary, remarkable, unbelievable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incredible

Used to describe something so extraordinary that it is hard to believe. Often used to denote excitement or amazement.

  • The view from the mountain was incredible
  • The magician performed incredible feats
unbelievable

Used to describe something so extraordinary that it is hard to accept as true or real. It can be used positively or negatively, depending on the situation.

  • The plot of the movie was unbelievable
  • The amount of money he spent was unbelievable
amazing

Used when something leaves one in awe and wonder. It carries a positive connotation and is often used in everyday situations to express admiration.

  • The fireworks display was amazing
  • She did an amazing job on her presentation
extraordinary

Used to describe something that is very unusual or remarkable, often exceeding ordinary expectations. It can be applied in formal and informal contexts.

  • Her ability to solve complex problems is extraordinary
  • The team showed extraordinary courage in the face of adversity
remarkable

Used for something worthy of attention or extraordinary. It generally carries a positive meaning and is often used to describe accomplishments or characteristics.

  • He has a remarkable talent for music
  • The progress she has made is remarkable
astonishing

Used to describe something that causes great surprise or amazement. It is often used in more formal contexts or to highlight something exceptionally surprising.

  • The scientist made an astonishing discovery
  • His recovery after the accident was astonishing

Examples of usage

  • The athlete's speed was incredible, breaking all records.
  • The chef's skill in the kitchen was truly incredible.
  • The rescue mission was an incredible display of bravery.
  • The technology behind the invention was absolutely incredible.
  • The support from the community was incredible during the crisis.

Translations

Translations of the word "incredible" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incrível

🇮🇳 अविश्वसनीय

🇩🇪 unglaublich

🇮🇩 luar biasa

🇺🇦 неймовірний

🇵🇱 niesamowity

🇯🇵 信じられない

🇫🇷 incroyable

🇪🇸 increíble

🇹🇷 inanılmaz

🇰🇷 믿을 수 없는

🇸🇦 لا يصدق

🇨🇿 neuvěřitelný

🇸🇰 neuveriteľný

🇨🇳 难以置信

🇸🇮 neverjeten

🇮🇸 ótrúlegt

🇰🇿 керемет

🇬🇪 გაუსაძლისი

🇦🇿 inanılmaz

🇲🇽 increíble

Etymology

The word 'incredible' originated from the Latin word 'incrēdibilis', meaning 'unbelievable'. It entered the English language in the early 15th century, retaining its original meaning of 'impossible to believe'. Over time, 'incredible' has become a popular word to describe something amazing or astonishing. Its usage has evolved to convey admiration and awe towards extraordinary events or qualities.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,951 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.