Cool MateAstonishing to behold vs Stunning
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing to behold
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Stunning
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most formal: Astonishing to beholdMost common: Stunning
| Astonishing to behold | Stunning | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈstɒn.ɪʃ.ɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld//🇺🇸 //əˈstɑː.nɪ.ʃɪŋ tə bɪˈhoʊld// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈstʌnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstʌnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very surprising and impressive to see. | Very beautiful or impressive. |
| Example | The view from the mountaintop was astonishing to behold. | You look absolutely stunning! |
| 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 | be, look, find something, really, absolutely, quite, be, look, find something, really, absolutely, quite |
| Antonyms | - | ugly, unattractive, dull |
| Common mistakes | Using 'astonishing' in informal contexts., Mixing up with 'amazing' when a formal tone is needed. | Confused with 'stun' vs 'stunning' where 'stun' refers to shock., Using 'stunning' for something ordinary., Misplacing in a sentence, leading to unclear meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use in formal contexts such as writing or speeches. Avoid in casual conversations. | Used to describe people, places, or things that are visually striking. More common in positive contexts. Avoid using in negative or sarcastic tones. |
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Frequently asked questions: Astonishing to behold vs Stunning
What's the difference between Astonishing to behold and Stunning?
Astonishing to behold: Very surprising and impressive to see. Stunning: Very beautiful or impressive.
Which is more formal: Astonishing to behold and Stunning?
Astonishing to behold is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Astonishing to behold and Stunning?
Stunning 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. Stunning: You look absolutely stunning!
Can I use Astonishing to behold and Stunning interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing to behold and Stunning 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.