Cool MateAmazing vs Unbelievable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Amazing
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Unbelievable
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Amazing | Unbelievable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʌn.bɪˈliː.və.bəl//🇺🇸 //ʌn.bɪˈlivə.bəl// |
| Meaning | very good or impressive | Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true. |
| Example | The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. | His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, sound, absolutely, pretty, rather, be nothing short of amazing | unbelievable story, unbelievable situation, unbelievable coincidence, unbelievable talent, unbelievable prices |
| Antonyms | ordinary, unremarkable, boring | credible, believable, plausible |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it for average things., Confusing it with 'amaze' as a verb., Using it in negative contexts incorrectly. | 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 | 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. | 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: Amazing vs Unbelievable
What's the difference between Amazing and Unbelievable?
Amazing: very good or impressive Unbelievable: Not able to be believed; hard to accept as true.
Can you show an example of each?
Amazing: The view from the mountain top was simply amazing. Unbelievable: His story about climbing Everest without oxygen was simply unbelievable.
Can I use Amazing and Unbelievable interchangeably?
Not always. Amazing 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.