incredible
ihng-KREH-dih-buhl
Incredible (adj) means So unlikely or extraordinary that it is hard to believe. Example: “It seems incredible that they climbed the mountain without any training.”
adj
1
So unlikely or extraordinary that it is hard to believe.
"It seems incredible that they climbed the mountain without any training."
"The story of how she escaped the flood sounds almost incredible."
"He told an incredible tale about meeting a famous actor in a lift."
2
Extremely impressive or amazing.
"The view from the summit was incredible."
"She gave an incredible performance in the final act."
"The chef cooked an incredible meal using only a few simple ingredients."
How to use incredible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHard to believe — either because it seems impossible, or because it's amazingly good.
When to use it
In everyday speech it usually just means "amazing" or "great," not literally unbelievable.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
incredible performance
seem incredible
incredible amount
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more incredible
- Superlative
- most incredible
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It seems _____ that they climbed the mountain without any training.
Etymology
From Latin incrēdibilis, from in- ("not") plus crēdibilis ("believable"), from crēdere ("to believe").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for incredible
See all rhymes for incredible →Frequently asked questions
What does “incredible” mean?
The word “incredible” means so unlikely or extraordinary that it is hard to believe. In plain terms, hard to believe — either because it seems impossible, or because it's amazingly good.
How do you pronounce “incredible”?
“Incredible” is pronounced ihng-KREH-dih-buhl (/ɪŋˈkɹɛdəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “incredible” in a sentence?
Here is “incredible” used in a sentence: “It seems incredible that they climbed the mountain without any training.”
What part of speech is “incredible”?
“Incredible” is an adjective.
Where does the word “incredible” come from?
The word “incredible” comes from Latin. From Latin incrēdibilis, from in- ("not") plus crēdibilis ("believable"), from crēdere ("to believe").
Is “incredible” a common word?
“Incredible” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “incredible” have?
“Incredible” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: so unlikely or extraordinary that it is hard to believe.
What is the difference between incredible and incredulous?
Incredible describes something so remarkable it is hard to believe, such as an incredible view or an incredible story. Incredulous describes a person who cannot or will not believe something, as in an incredulous look. In short, a claim is incredible, while the listener hearing it may be incredulous.
Does incredible mean good or bad?
Literally, incredible means 'not credible', or hard to believe. In everyday use, though, it almost always means amazing, excellent, or impressive, as in an incredible performance. Context and tone decide: it can occasionally describe something shockingly bad, but the positive sense of wonderful or extraordinary is far more common.
What is the difference between incredible and unbelievable?
The two are very close and often interchangeable. Incredible leans positive, suggesting something wonderfully impressive. Unbelievable is more neutral and can swing either way, as in an unbelievable goal or an unbelievable mess. Both describe things that strain belief, but incredible more often carries a note of admiration.
What is an example of incredible?
Describing a sunset as an incredible view means it is so beautiful it seems almost unreal. Calling an athlete's comeback incredible suggests it was extraordinary and hard to believe. The word highlights something far beyond the ordinary, whether in beauty, achievement, or sheer improbability.
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