Cool MateAstonishing to behold vs Extraordinary
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing to behold
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Extraordinary
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most formal: Astonishing to beholdMost common: Extraordinary
| Astonishing to behold | Extraordinary | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈstɒn.ɪʃ.ɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld//🇺🇸 //əˈstɑː.nɪ.ʃɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising and impressive to see. | very unusual or remarkable |
| Example | The view from the mountaintop was astonishing to behold. | Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | astonishing beauty, astonishing talent, astonishing discovery | appear, be, feel, most, really, truly |
| Antonyms | - | ordinary, common, usual |
| Common mistakes | Using 'astonishing' in informal contexts., Mixing up with 'amazing' when a formal tone is needed. | Confused with 'ordinary', thinking they are similar., Using inappropriately in very casual chats; feels too formal., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 'extra-' part. |
| Usage notes | Use in formal contexts such as writing or speeches. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'extraordinary' to describe something very special or impressive. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but try to avoid it in everyday casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Astonishing to behold vs Extraordinary
What's the difference between Astonishing to behold and Extraordinary?
Astonishing to behold: Very surprising and impressive to see. Extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable
Which is more formal: Astonishing to behold and Extraordinary?
Astonishing to behold is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Astonishing to behold and Extraordinary?
Extraordinary is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Astonishing to behold: The view from the mountaintop was astonishing to behold. Extraordinary: Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, captivating the entire audience.
Can I use Astonishing to behold and Extraordinary interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing to behold and Extraordinary 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.