Cool MateIncredible vs Wow great
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incredible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Wow great
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: IncredibleMost common: Incredible
| Incredible | Wow great | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //waʊ ɡreɪt//🇺🇸 //waʊ ɡreɪt// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or hard to believe. | An expression of surprise or appreciation. |
| Example | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! | Wow, great job on your presentation! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to | Wow, great news, Wow, great view, Wow, great effort |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, unremarkable | - |
| 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. | Using it in a formal context, Misplacing the words, such as saying 'Great wow', Overusing in quick succession; might lose impact |
| 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. | Often used to convey excitement or admiration. Suitable in casual contexts but may be too informal for serious discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Incredible vs Wow great
What's the difference between Incredible and Wow great?
Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe. Wow great: An expression of surprise or appreciation.
Which is more formal: Incredible and Wow great?
Incredible is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Incredible and Wow great?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! Wow great: Wow, great job on your presentation!
Can I use Incredible and Wow great interchangeably?
Not always. Incredible and Wow great 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.