Stunning: meaning, definitions and examples

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stunning

 

[ ˈstʌnɪŋ ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

describing appearance

Extremely impressive or attractive

Synonyms

beautiful, breathtaking, dazzling, gorgeous, striking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stunning

Used to describe something or someone that causes astonishment or leaves people speechless due to its exceptional beauty or attractiveness.

  • Her red dress was absolutely stunning and turned heads at the party.
  • The view from the mountain top was simply stunning.
breathtaking

Used to describe something so magnificent or awe-inspiring that it takes your breath away.

  • The Grand Canyon offers breathtaking views.
  • Her performance was absolutely breathtaking.
striking

Used to emphasize the notable or extraordinary characteristics of someone or something, often suggesting that it stands out in comparison to others.

  • He has striking blue eyes.
  • The painting has a striking use of colors.
dazzling

Highlights something or someone that is very bright, impressive, or brilliant, often causing temporary blindness or overwhelming admiration.

  • The fireworks display was dazzling.
  • She wore a dazzling tiara.
gorgeous

Describes someone or something that is extremely attractive or beautiful.

  • You look gorgeous in that dress!
  • The sunset was absolutely gorgeous.
beautiful

A general and versatile term to describe someone or something that is pleasing and attractive.

  • She has a beautiful smile.
  • The garden looks beautiful in the spring.

Examples of usage

  • The view from the top of the mountain was stunning.
  • She looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress.
Context #2 | Verb

describing the effect on someone

To shock or greatly surprise someone

Synonyms

amaze, astonish, shock, stupefy, surprise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stunning

This word is typically used to describe something or someone that is extremely beautiful or impressive. It is used in a positive context.

  • The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely stunning.
  • She wore a stunning dress to the party.
shock

This word is used for something that causes a sudden and often disturbing impression due to an unexpected event. It can have a negative connotation.

  • The news of the accident came as a shock to everyone.
  • She was shocked to find out that her friend had lied to her.
surprise

This word is versatile and can be used in a variety of situations where an unexpected event or information causes a feeling of wonder or curiosity. It can be positive, negative, or neutral.

  • They planned a surprise party for his birthday.
  • Her sudden visit surprised us all.
astonish

This word is used to describe a feeling of great surprise or amazement, often in response to something unique or unexpected.

  • He was astonished by the news of his promotion.
  • The speed at which technology is advancing astonishes me.
amaze

Use this word when you want to express a strong feeling of wonder or surprise caused by something remarkable.

  • The magician's tricks never fail to amaze the audience.
  • Her ability to solve complex problems quickly amazes everyone.
stupefy

This word is used to describe a state where someone is so shocked or surprised that they are unable to think or react. It has a stronger and often negative connotation compared to other synonyms.

  • The long hours and intense work started to stupefy the employees.
  • He was stupefied by the amount of money he had won in the lottery.

Examples of usage

  • The news of his resignation stunned the entire office.
  • The unexpected win stunned the audience.

Translations

Translations of the word "stunning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deslumbrante

🇮🇳 शानदार

🇩🇪 atemberaubend

🇮🇩 menakjubkan

🇺🇦 приголомшливий

🇵🇱 oszałamiający

🇯🇵 素晴らしい (subarashī)

🇫🇷 stupéfiant

🇪🇸 impresionante

🇹🇷 şaşırtıcı

🇰🇷 놀라운 (nollaun)

🇸🇦 مدهش

🇨🇿 ohromující

🇸🇰 ohromujúci

🇨🇳 惊人的 (jīngrén de)

🇸🇮 osupljiv

🇮🇸 stórkostlegur

🇰🇿 керемет

🇬🇪 გასაოცარი

🇦🇿 heyrətamiz

🇲🇽 impresionante

Etymology

The word 'stunning' originated from the Middle English word 'stounen' which means 'to strike'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'causing someone to be struck with awe'. The modern usage of 'stunning' dates back to the 17th century, where it began to be used to describe something extremely impressive or attractive.

See also: stun, stunned, stunner, stunningly.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,813, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.