Meaning & use
spectacular
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Very impressive to look at, or so remarkable that it makes people stop and stare.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a verb: a spectacular view; the fireworks were spectacular.
Patterns
- a spectacular view
- spectacular in something
The view from the mountain top was absolutely spectacular.
They put on a spectacular fireworks display.
She scored a spectacular goal from the halfway line.
adjectivebefore a noun
Very large or dramatic, especially in the case of a success or a failure.
Grammar: Often used before success, failure, collapse or growth: a spectacular failure.
Patterns
- a spectacular success
- a spectacular failure
The company's collapse was spectacular and sudden.
He made a spectacular recovery after the surgery.
The film was a spectacular flop at the box office.
nouncountable
A grand, lavish public show or entertainment, often on television or on a stage.
Grammar: A countable noun: a holiday spectacular.
Patterns
- a spectacular of something
The network aired a Christmas spectacular with famous singers.
The opening ceremony was a spectacular that cost millions.
Word forms
| comparative | more spectacular |
|---|---|
| superlative | most spectacular |
| plural | spectaculars |
Common combinations
- spectacular view
- The hotel offers a spectacular view of the bay.
- spectacular success
- The launch was a spectacular success.
- spectacular failure
- Their plan ended in spectacular failure.
- spectacular scenery
- We drove through spectacular scenery all day.
- truly spectacular
- The sunrise was truly spectacular.
Synonyms and how they differ
- breathtaking
- Breathtaking focuses on the feeling of being amazed, and spectacular on the impressive appearance.
- dramatic
- Dramatic stresses sharp or sudden effect, while spectacular stresses grandeur and visual impact.
- stunning
- Stunning is more informal and is often used for beauty, while spectacular suggests scale or show.
- magnificent
- Magnificent suggests grandeur and splendor, usually positive, whereas spectacular can also describe huge failures.
Opposites
Word family
- spectacle noun
- an impressive public show or sight
- spectacularly adverb
- in a very impressive or dramatic way
- spectator noun
- someone who watches an event
- spectacles noun
- an older word for eyeglasses
Commonly confused: spectacular or specific?
spectacular vs specific
Specific means precise and particular, while spectacular means impressive; their beginnings look alike.
Practice
The fireworks over the harbor were so ____ that the whole crowd gasped.
Choose one answer.
Spectacular means very impressive to watch. Specific looks similar but means precise, and ordinary and modest contradict the crowd's reaction.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “spectacular”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.