astonish

uh-STO-nihsh

Astonish (verb) means to surprise someone so much that they are left amazed. Example: “The magician’s final trick astonished the whole audience.”

verb

To surprise someone so much that they are left amazed.

"The magician’s final trick astonished the whole audience."

"It astonished me how quickly she learned the language."

How to Use Astonish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo amaze or shock someone with surprise.

Common pairings

astonish everyone astonished to learn

Word Forms

astonished past tense, astonishes singular

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Fill the Gap

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The magician’s final trick _____ the whole audience.

Etymology

Traces back through Middle English forms like "astony" and "astone" to Old French estoner, "to stun" — the "-ish" ending was likely added later by analogy with words like "abolish" and "banish."

Origin: Old French

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “astonish” mean?

The word “astonish” means to surprise someone so much that they are left amazed. In plain terms, to amaze or shock someone with surprise.

How do you pronounce “astonish”?

“Astonish” is pronounced uh-STO-nihsh (/əˈstɑnɪʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “astonish” in a sentence?

Here is “astonish” used in a sentence: “The magician’s final trick astonished the whole audience.”

What part of speech is “astonish”?

“Astonish” is a verb.

Where does the word “astonish” come from?

The word “astonish” comes from Old French. Traces back through Middle English forms like "astony" and "astone" to Old French estoner, "to stun" — the "-ish" ending was likely added later by analogy with words like "abolish" and "banish.".

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Words With French Origins