amazing

adjective

amaz·​ing ə-ˈmā-ziŋ 

: causing astonishment, great wonder, or surprise

an amazing story of personal bravery and survival

Did you know?

Can amazing mean "good"?

One common complaint regarding the adjectival use of amazing is the extent to which the word is used in what some feel is a watered-down fashion. Those who take this position argue that unless someone is literally being amazed, the word is ill-chosen.

While this defense of semantic integrity is understandable, we must point out that the broadened meaning of amazing is hardly an isolated case. In fact, a number of words that are semantically similar to amazing have also come unmoored from their original meanings. Fabulous once meant “characteristic of fables," and the earliest known sense of terrific was “exciting fear or awe.” Although the weakened meanings of such words have elicited complaints, most of them have eventually become accepted into the language over the course of time.

That being said, the use of amazing to indicate that something is slightly better than “pleasant” may provoke skepticism in others, so you are advised to know your audience before using it in this way.

Synonyms

• astonishing
• astounding
• blindsiding
• dumbfounding
• dumfounding
• eye-opening
• flabbergasting
• jarring
• jaw-dropping
• jolting
• shocking
• startling
• stunning
• stupefying
• surprising

Examples of amazing in a Sentence

He showed an amazing lack of concern for others.

The amazing thing is that no one knows where it came from.

He has an amazing ability to learn new languages.

Her grandmother was really an amazing woman.

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s been amazing about series one is getting all these incredible actors together. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

Earlier this year, Apple introduced its amazing Vision Pro spatial computing headset, giving us a glimpse of our immersive digital future. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

So many people gave amazing personal accounts of Bob at the event and so many great Arkansas coaches and administrators past and present came out to honor him. —Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 17 Dec. 2024

And your whole crew can enjoy that kind of exclusive access at these family-friendly resorts with amazing private beaches. —Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of amaze entry 1

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amazing

adjective

: causing amazement, great wonder, or surprise