Cool MateAmazing vs Astonishing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Amazing
| Amazing | Astonishing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | Very surprising or amazing. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | be, seem, find something, really, truly, absolutely |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | unimpressive, ordinary, mundane |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | Used too casually in informal situations., Confused with 'astonished', which describes a feeling rather than something that causes astonishment., Overused in contexts where 'surprising' or 'impressive' might be more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'amazing' to describe something that exceeds expectations. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it excessively in formal writing. | Use 'astonishing' to describe something that causes great surprise or wonder. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but may be less common in casual everyday conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Amazing vs Astonishing
What's the difference between Amazing and Astonishing?
Amazing: very good or impressive Astonishing: Very surprising or amazing.
Which is more common: Amazing and Astonishing?
Amazing is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Amazing and Astonishing?
Astonishing is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Amazing and Astonishing the same CEFR level?
Amazing: A1, Astonishing: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Amazing and Astonishing?
Amazing: adjective, Astonishing: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Amazing: The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. Astonishing: She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds.
Can I use Amazing and Astonishing interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing and Astonishing 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.