Words / B1

uh-MAYZ-ing/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/

Amazing means very surprising in a good way, or excellent. Surprising can be good or bad; impressive is closer when skill or size is the point. Learners overuse amazing in speech — in exam writing, astonishing, impressive, or remarkable often sound more precise. Amazed is how you feel; amazing describes the thing. Amazement is the noun.

Meaning

Very surprising and impressive; excellent.

Examples

• “The view from the hill was amazing.”
• “The results were amazing for a first attempt.”
• “It is amazing how quickly children pick up songs.”

Good to know

amazing + noun. Person feels: amazed. Weaker everyday: surprising. Formal: impressive / remarkable.

Near in meaning

impressive, astonishing

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