Cool MateBreathtaking vs Don't you look stunning
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Breathtaking
Top 2,000 (common)
Don't you look stunning
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: BreathtakingMost common: Breathtaking
| Breathtaking | Don't you look stunning | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈbrɛθteɪkɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt juː lʊk ˈstʌnɪŋ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ju lʊk ˈstʌnɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Very beautiful or amazing. | You look very beautiful or attractive. |
| Example | The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking. | Wow, don't you look stunning in that dress! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | breathtaking view, breathtaking scenery, breathtaking performance, breathtaking beauty, breathtaking moment | look stunning, stunning beauty, absolutely stunning, stunning outfit, stunning appearance |
| Antonyms | undramatic, uninspiring, mundane | - |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Using 'stunning' with formal greetings where compliments may seem inappropriate., Confusing with 'stun' which means to shock or surprise., Forgetting to use the correct intonation in the phrase to convey friendliness. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe something that is astonishing or awe-inspiring, often in relation to scenery or accomplishments. Avoid using in overly formal contexts. | Used to compliment someone's appearance in a casual, friendly way. Best reserved for friendly or intimate contexts, not professional. |
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Frequently asked questions: Breathtaking vs Don't you look stunning
What's the difference between Breathtaking and Don't you look stunning?
Breathtaking: Very beautiful or amazing. Don't you look stunning: You look very beautiful or attractive.
Which is more formal: Breathtaking and Don't you look stunning?
Breathtaking is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Breathtaking and Don't you look stunning?
Breathtaking is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Breathtaking: The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking. Don't you look stunning: Wow, don't you look stunning in that dress!
Can I use Breathtaking and Don't you look stunning interchangeably?
Not always. Breathtaking and Don't you look 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.