Looking up...
amazing
/əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
extremely impressive
The view from the mountaintop was absolutely amazing.
The view was extremely impressive and breathtaking.
informal
causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing
Her performance in the competition was amazing.
Her performance was so impressive that it caused great wonder.
They offer an amazing range of products at affordable prices.
The variety of products they offer is surprisingly impressive.
Often used to emphasize something positive. Can be informal in very casual contexts.
Collocations
absolutely amazingvery impressivetruly amazinggenuinely impressiveamazing experiencea very impressive or memorable event
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'amazing'
Since 'amazing' is a strong word, reserve it for truly exceptional situations. Using it too often can make your language sound less sincere.
Gold Rule
Use 'amazing' for genuine surprise
Avoid using 'amazing' for routine or expected things. It works best when something is unexpectedly impressive or wonderful.
Word Origin
From the verb 'amaze' (Middle English 'amasen', from Old French 'amaser' 'to stupefy'), ultimately from Vulgar Latin '*admasiāre' (to stun), from Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'masus' (past participle of 'mācerāre' 'to soften, weaken'). The sense of 'surprise' evolved in the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Amazing is a strong word. Use it for things that exceed expectations or are unusually impressive. It can sound exaggerated in formal writing but is common in casual speech.
Word Breakdown
a-
prefix meaning 'to'
prefix-maz-
from Latin 'mācerāre' (to soften, weaken)
root-ing
adjective-forming suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary