Cool MateAstonishing vs Wow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
Wow
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)A2exclamation
Most formal: AstonishingMost common: Wow
| Astonishing | Wow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/waʊ/","/ˌwaʊˈiː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/waʊ/","/ˌwaʊˈiː/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising or amazing. | A word used to express surprise or excitement. |
| Example | She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. | Wow! You look terrific! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | exclamation |
| Collocations | be, seem, find something, really, truly, absolutely | say wow, wow factor, wow moment |
| Antonyms | unimpressive, ordinary, mundane | meh, bored, disappointing, unimpressed |
| Common mistakes | Used too casually in informal situations., Confused with 'astonished', which describes a feeling rather than something that causes astonishment., Overused in contexts where 'surprising' or 'impressive' might be more appropriate. | Using 'wow' in formal writing., Saying 'wow' too often can lose its impact., Confusing 'wow' with other expressions of surprise. |
| Usage notes | Use 'astonishing' to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may be less common in casual everyday conversations. | Use 'wow' in casual conversations to show amazement or admiration. It may not be suitable for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Astonishing vs Wow
What's the difference between Astonishing and Wow?
Astonishing: Very surprising or amazing. Wow: A word used to express surprise or excitement.
Which is more formal: Astonishing and Wow?
Astonishing is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Astonishing and Wow?
Wow is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Astonishing and Wow?
Astonishing is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Astonishing and Wow the same CEFR level?
Astonishing: B2, Wow: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Astonishing and Wow?
Astonishing: adjective, Wow: exclamation.
Can you show an example of each?
Astonishing: She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. Wow: Wow! You look terrific!
Can I use Astonishing and Wow interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing and Wow are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.