Cool MateIncredible vs Unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incredible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Unbelievable
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Incredible | Unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl//🇺🇸 //ʌn.bɪˈlivə.bəl// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or hard to believe. | Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. |
| Example | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! | His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to | unbelievable story, unbelievable situation, unbelievable coincidence, unbelievable talent, unbelievable prices |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, unremarkable | credible, believable, plausible |
| Common mistakes | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. | Confused with 'incredible' - both mean similar things but can have different connotations., Used too casually in serious contexts., Often mispronounced by stressing the wrong syllable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. | Used to express astonishment or disbelief. It can be positive or negative depending on context (e.g., an unbelievable achievement vs. an unbelievable lie). |
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Frequently asked questions: Incredible vs Unbelievable
What's the difference between Incredible and Unbelievable?
Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe. Unbelievable: Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true.
Can you show an example of each?
Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! Unbelievable: His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable.
Can I use Incredible and Unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Incredible and Unbelievable 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.