An outstanding, remarkable, or unusually impressive example of its kind.
Reach for it when giving exuberant informal praise to an event, object, or performance
The final match was a humdinger that stayed close until the last point.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
cracker
Fits when lively regional speech suits an excellent event
Careful Cracker varies by dialect and has offensive meanings in some contexts.
playful
Fits when appearance or performance makes an immediate powerful impression
Careful Knockout can reduce a person to appearance; it also jars in solemn recognition.
everyday
Fits when one example clearly rises above the rest
Careful Standout is measured and lacks humdinger's delighted surprise.
formal
tour de force
Fits when masterful execution of a difficult work deserves expert praise
Careful Tour de force reserves grand praise for mastery, not merely an exciting game or meal.
literary
Fits when wonder at exceptional craft or ingenuity is central
Careful Marvel suggests awe more than lively entertainment.
real humdinger
The season finale is a real humdinger with a generous surprise ending.
quite a humdinger
Their first debate was quite a humdinger but remained respectful.
humdinger of a game
We watched a humdinger of a game from the back row.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Neøn, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated
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