adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

breathtaking

BREHTH-tay-kihng

Breathtaking (adjective) means So beautiful or spectacular that it leaves you momentarily stunned. Example: “The view from the summit was breathtaking.”

adjective

So beautiful or spectacular that it leaves you momentarily stunned.

"The view from the summit was breathtaking."

"She wore a breathtaking dress to the awards ceremony."

So shocking, bold, or extreme that it takes people by surprise.

"His breathtaking arrogance left the whole room speechless."

"The scale of the fraud was breathtaking."

How to use breathtaking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAmazing enough to make you gasp — for good reasons (beauty) or bad ones (shock).

Common pairings

breathtaking view breathtaking beauty breathtaking arrogance breathtaking speed

Word forms

more breathtaking comparative, most breathtaking superlative

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The view from the summit was _____.

Etymology

A straightforward compound of "breath" and "taking" — literally something so striking it takes your breath away.

Synonyms

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awe-inspiring stunning spectacular jaw-dropping astonishing

Related words

beautiful amazing moving species awesome excellent incredible dramatic

Rhymes for breathtaking

baking making waking taking faking raking shaking leaking quaking soaking braking staking

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Frequently asked questions

What does “breathtaking” mean?

The word “breathtaking” means so beautiful or spectacular that it leaves you momentarily stunned. In plain terms, amazing enough to make you gasp — for good reasons (beauty) or bad ones (shock).

How do you pronounce “breathtaking”?

“Breathtaking” is pronounced BREHTH-tay-kihng (/ˈbɹɛθˌteɪ.kɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “breathtaking” in a sentence?

Here is “breathtaking” used in a sentence: “The view from the summit was breathtaking.”

What part of speech is “breathtaking”?

“Breathtaking” is an adjective.

Is “breathtaking” a common word?

“Breathtaking” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “breathtaking” have?

“Breathtaking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: so beautiful or spectacular that it leaves you momentarily stunned.

What is the difference between "breathtaking" and "stunning"?

Both words describe something so beautiful or spectacular that it leaves you momentarily amazed, and they are often used interchangeably in praise of scenery or performances. "Breathtaking" more strongly evokes the physical sensation of being left speechless or short of breath.

Can "breathtaking" describe something negative?

Yes, "breathtaking" can also describe something so shocking, bold, or extreme that it takes people by surprise, as in "breathtaking incompetence," where the word conveys astonishment rather than admiration.

Is "breathtaking" a formal or informal word?

"Breathtaking" is neutral in register and appropriate in both formal writing, such as travel or arts reviews, and everyday conversation.

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