Cool MateThey were like wow vs Unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
They were like wow
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Unbelievable
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: UnbelievableMost common: Unbelievable
| They were like wow | Unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ wə lʌɪk waʊ//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ wɜr laɪk waʊ// | 🇬🇧 //ʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl//🇺🇸 //ʌn.bɪˈlivə.bəl// |
| Meaning | They were very surprised or impressed. | Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. |
| Example | When I saw the stunning sunset, I was like wow. | His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | were like wow, felt like wow, sounded like wow, looked like wow, said like wow | unbelievable story, unbelievable situation, unbelievable coincidence, unbelievable talent, unbelievable prices |
| Antonyms | - | credible, believable, plausible |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal writing or speeches., Confusing 'like' as a filler word with its intended meaning., Omitting context which may clarify the surprise. | 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 | Commonly used in casual conversations to express amazement or excitement. Avoid in formal situations. | 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: They were like wow vs Unbelievable
What's the difference between They were like wow and Unbelievable?
They were like wow: They were very surprised or impressed. Unbelievable: Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true.
Which is more formal: They were like wow and Unbelievable?
Unbelievable is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: They were like wow and Unbelievable?
Unbelievable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
They were like wow: When I saw the stunning sunset, I was like wow. Unbelievable: His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable.
Can I use They were like wow and Unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. They were like wow 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.