Cool MateAwesome vs Remarkable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Awesome
InformalTop 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Remarkable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most formal: RemarkableMost common: Awesome
| Awesome | Remarkable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɔːsəm//🇺🇸 //ˈɔːsəm// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very good or impressive | Very special or unusual, worth noticing. |
| Example | That movie was awesome! | The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | awesome experience, awesome job, awesome view, awesome performance | be, seem, absolutely, just, most, for |
| Antonyms | terrible, awful, bad | ordinary, unremarkable, mundane |
| Common mistakes | Used too frequently; try to vary vocabulary., Confused with 'awful', which means very bad., Overused for minor achievements. | Confused with 'remarkable' and 'notable', which have subtle differences in connotation., Using 'remarkable' in a negative context, which doesn't fit its positive meaning., Overusing it; it can sound exaggerated if used too frequently. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal writing, where 'impressive' or 'excellent' might be more appropriate. | Use 'remarkable' to describe something that is impressive, surprising, or extraordinary. It is neutral in tone, so it can be used in most contexts, including both spoken and written language. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Awesome vs Remarkable
What's the difference between Awesome and Remarkable?
Awesome: Very good or impressive Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing.
Which is more formal: Awesome and Remarkable?
Remarkable is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Awesome and Remarkable?
Awesome is the most common in everyday English.
Are Awesome and Remarkable the same CEFR level?
Awesome: B1, Remarkable: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Awesome and Remarkable interchangeably?
Not always. Awesome and Remarkable 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.