Cool MateAmazing vs Incredible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Incredible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
| Amazing | Incredible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | Very surprising or hard to believe. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | ordinary, common, unremarkable |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. |
| 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 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Amazing vs Incredible
What's the difference between Amazing and Incredible?
Amazing: very good or impressive Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe.
Which is more advanced: Amazing and Incredible?
Incredible is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Amazing and Incredible the same CEFR level?
Amazing: A1, Incredible: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Amazing and Incredible?
Amazing: adjective, Incredible: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Amazing: The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible!
Can I use Amazing and Incredible interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing and Incredible 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.