Cool MateAstonishing vs Breathtaking
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Astonishing
Top 3,000 (common)B2adjective
Breathtaking
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Breathtaking
| Astonishing | Breathtaking | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or amazing. | Very beautiful or amazing. |
| Example | She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. | The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, find something, really, truly, absolutely | breathtaking view, breathtaking scenery, breathtaking performance, breathtaking beauty, breathtaking moment |
| Antonyms | unimpressive, ordinary, mundane | undramatic, uninspiring, mundane |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confusing with 'breath-taking'; it's one word., Using it for mundane subjects; it must be extraordinary., Using it too frequently loses impact; save for truly stunning things. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used to describe something that is astonishing or awe-inspiring, often in relation to scenery or accomplishments. Avoid using in overly formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Astonishing vs Breathtaking
What's the difference between Astonishing and Breathtaking?
Astonishing: Very surprising or amazing. Breathtaking: Very beautiful or amazing.
Which is more common: Astonishing and Breathtaking?
Breathtaking is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Astonishing: She ran 100m in an astonishing 10.6 seconds. Breathtaking: The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking.
Can I use Astonishing and Breathtaking interchangeably?
Not always. Astonishing and Breathtaking 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.