Amazed vs Blown away

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Amazed

Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective

Blown away

Top 2,000 (common)
 AmazedBlown away
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzd/"]/🇬🇧 //bləʊn əˈweɪ//🇺🇸 //bloʊn əˈweɪ//
MeaningVery surprised or impressed.Very impressed or amazed
ExampleI was amazed by the stunning performance of the dancers.I was blown away by the stunning performance of the dancers.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, look, seem, absolutely, completely, just, at, by, continue to be amazed, never cease to be amazed, shocked and amazedblown away by a performance, blown away by the scenery, blown away by the news
Antonymsunimpressed, bored-
Common mistakesConfused with 'amazing' – 'amazed' describes a feeling, while 'amazing' describes something that causes that feeling., Using 'amazed' without an object – remember to express what caused the amazement., Overusing in casual conversation – save for moments of genuine surprise.Using it in overly formal situations where a more serious phrase is appropriate., Confusing it with the literal meaning of something being physically blown away by the wind.
Usage notesUse 'amazed' to describe feelings of wonder or admiration. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in casual or playful settings where lighter expressions like 'wow' might be better.Use 'blown away' in informal contexts to express strong admiration or surprise. It might not be suitable for formal writing or speeches.

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Blown away

Frequently asked questions: Amazed vs Blown away

What's the difference between Amazed and Blown away?

Amazed: Very surprised or impressed. Blown away: Very impressed or amazed

Can you show an example of each?

Amazed: I was amazed by the stunning performance of the dancers. Blown away: I was blown away by the stunning performance of the dancers.

Can I use Amazed and Blown away interchangeably?

Not always. Amazed and Blown away 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.

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