Astonishing
/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/
adjectiveBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
So surprising that it evokes wonder or amazement.
/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/
adjectivepositiveBeginner
General
Extremely surprising or impressive.
The view from the mountaintop was astonishing.
💡 Simply: Very surprising and impressive.
More Examples
2
Her talent is truly astonishing.
How It's Used
General
"The magician performed an astonishing feat of illusion."
Scientific
"The new scientific findings were astonishing."
From Middle English *astonyen, from Old French estoner, from Vulgar Latin *exstonare, from Latin ex- 'out' + *tonare 'to thunder'. The sense shifted from 'to stun or thunderstruck' to its modern meaning.
Historically, the word retained more of its original sense of being stunned or overwhelmed, but its current meaning evolved over time.
Memory tip
Think 'astonished' – the feeling you have when something astonishing happens.
Practice
Base: astonish
astonishinglyastonishingg
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written