Cool MateAmazed vs Blown away vs Impressed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazed
Blown away
Impressed
| Amazed | Blown away | Impressed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //bləʊn əˈweɪ//🇺🇸 //bloʊn əˈweɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪmˈprest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪmˈprest/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprised or impressed. | Very impressed or amazed | Feeling admiration for someone or something. |
| Example | I was amazed by the stunning performance of the dancers. | I was blown away by the stunning performance of the dancers. | I was truly impressed by her ability to solve the complex math problem. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, seem, absolutely, completely, just, at, by, continue to be amazed, never cease to be amazed, shocked and amazed | blown away by a performance, blown away by the scenery, blown away by the news | be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, at, by, with |
| Antonyms | unimpressed, bored | - | unimpressed, indifferent |
| Common mistakes | Confused 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. | Confused with 'impress' — remember 'impressed' is a state of feeling., Using it with the wrong preposition — it should be 'impressed by' or 'impressed with'., Omitting the preposition entirely, e.g., saying 'I was impressed him' instead of 'I was impressed by him.' |
| Usage notes | Use '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. | Use 'impressed' when you want to express admiration or respect. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual settings where simpler words might fit better. |
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Frequently asked questions: Amazed vs Blown away vs Impressed
What's the difference between Amazed, Blown away, and Impressed?
Amazed: Very surprised or impressed. Blown away: Very impressed or amazed Impressed: Feeling admiration for someone or something.
Which is more common: Amazed, Blown away, and Impressed?
Impressed is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Amazed, Blown away, and Impressed?
Impressed is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
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. Impressed: I was truly impressed by her ability to solve the complex math problem.
Can I use Amazed, Blown away, and Impressed interchangeably?
Not always. Amazed, Blown away, and Impressed 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.