Breathtaking
adj.joyful, hopefulwarm
What it means
So beautiful, impressive, or extraordinary that it momentarily overwhelms attention.
Reach for it when giving strong praise to a view, performance, skill, or achievement
The restored ceiling revealed a breathtaking field of painted stars.
Choose between these
7- playful
informal amazement is welcome
not when the setting calls for restrained or respectful language
- everyday
immediate visual impact is the main response
not when quiet beauty grows gradually on the viewer
- warm
wonder and reverence are the feelings
not when simple attractive praise is sufficient
- professional
the quality deserves attention without emotional excess
not when the response truly is overwhelming
- professional
scale and display create the impression
not when intimate emotional power matters more than show
- formal
grandeur and high quality deserve dignity
not when surprise rather than majesty defines the reaction
- literary
intense beauty suits a heightened style
not when the subject is an achievement rather than appearance
Said against
3- ordinary
- unimpressive
- drab
It naturally appears in
3- breathtaking view
The final turn revealed a breathtaking view across the flooded plain.
- breathtaking beauty
The cave's breathtaking beauty depended on light no brighter than a candle.
- breathtaking performance
Her breathtaking performance held the hall silent through the final note.