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adj Uncommon

sensational

sehn-SAY-shuh-nuhl

Sensational (adj) means Extremely impressive or exciting. Example: “The team put in a sensational performance.”

adj
1
Extremely impressive or exciting.
"The team put in a sensational performance."
"She wore a sensational dress to the awards show."
2
Deliberately exaggerated or shocking, especially in the way news is reported.
"The tabloid was criticized for its sensational headlines."

How to use sensational

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "amazingly good" or "deliberately shocking/exaggerated," depending on context.

When to use it

The "amazingly good" sense is common in everyday speech; the "exaggerated for shock" sense is common when talking about media and journalism.

Common pairings
sensational news sensational performance sensational headline

Word forms

more sensational comparative, most sensational superlative

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The team put in a _____ performance.

Etymology

From sensation + -al.

Related words

Rhymes for sensational

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sensational” mean?

The word “sensational” means extremely impressive or exciting. In plain terms, either "amazingly good" or "deliberately shocking/exaggerated," depending on context.

How do you pronounce “sensational”?

“Sensational” is pronounced sehn-SAY-shuh-nuhl (/sɛnˈseɪʃənəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “sensational” in a sentence?

Here is “sensational” used in a sentence: “The team put in a sensational performance.”

What part of speech is “sensational”?

“Sensational” is an adjective.

Is “sensational” a common word?

“Sensational” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “sensational” have?

“Sensational” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely impressive or exciting.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary