Meaning & use
stunning
Last updated
UK/ˈstʌnɪŋ/
US/ˈstʌnɪŋ/
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Extremely beautiful or impressive.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a verb: a stunning view.
Patterns
- stunning in something
The view from the cliff was stunning.
She looked stunning in the red dress.
The film has stunning effects.
adjectivebefore a noun
Shocking or surprising enough to leave people speechless.
Grammar: Before a noun: a stunning upset.
The team suffered a stunning defeat.
The news was stunning.
Word forms
| comparative | more stunning |
|---|---|
| superlative | most stunning |
Common combinations
- stunning view
- A stunning view.
- stunning victory
- A stunning victory.
- absolutely stunning
- Absolutely stunning.
- stunning performance
- A stunning performance.
- stunningly beautiful
- Stunningly beautiful.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gorgeous
- More about looks.
- breathtaking
- Stresses awe.
- striking
- Stresses attracting attention.
- astonishing
- Stresses surprise.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: stunning or stunned?
stunning vs stunned
Stunned describes the person shocked; stunning describes the thing causing it.
Practice
The sunset over the sea was ___.
Choose one answer.
Stunning is the adjective for the thing; stunned describes a person.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “stunning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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