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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishTo amaze or shock someone with surprise.
Common pairings
astonish everyone
astonished to learn
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- astonishes
- Past tense
- astonished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."
Related words
Rhymes for astonish
See all rhymes for astonish →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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