amazing

adjective

amaz·​ing ə-ˈmā-ziŋ How to pronounce amazing (audio)
: causing astonishment, great wonder, or surprise
an amazing story of personal bravery and survival

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Can amazing mean "good"?

One common complaint regarding the adjectival use of amazing is the extent to which the word is used in what some feel is a watered-down fashion. Those who take this position argue that unless someone is literally being amazed, the word is ill-chosen.

While this defense of semantic integrity is understandable, we must point out that the broadened meaning of amazing is hardly an isolated case. In fact, a number of words that are semantically similar to amazing have also come unmoored from their original meanings. Fabulous once meant “characteristic of fables," and the earliest known sense of terrific was “exciting fear or awe.” Although the weakened meanings of such words have elicited complaints, most of them have eventually become accepted into the language over the course of time.

That being said, the use of amazing to indicate that something is slightly better than “pleasant” may provoke skepticism in others, so you are advised to know your audience before using it in this way.

Examples of amazing in a Sentence

He showed an amazing lack of concern for others. The amazing thing is that no one knows where it came from. He has an amazing ability to learn new languages. Her grandmother was really an amazing woman.
Recent Examples on the Web And to be shown these amazing — almost like art — all these amazing designers to start off with, and then all the haute couture. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Finally, this award-winning crypto casino sets players up with amazing customer support, over 4,000 casino games, and weekly slots and table tournaments. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The subject of the the latest Free Press Flashback, a weekly history feature, wowed anyone who would listen in Detroit and Ann Arbor with his amazing recall of historical facts. Michael Jackman, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 Not just the highest-profile work — which is amazing and great and important. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 Friday, March 8 Woodcock walk, 6:30 p.m. at Zionsville Nature Center: An evening walk to search for one of nature’s most amazing courtship displays. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Now is the time to hop on board Amtrak’s long-distance California Zephyr and see the amazing snowpack from the comfort of the train’s observation car. Javier Panzar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 And Elle, our intimacy coordinator, was amazing and comforting and an exciting presence. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2024 My culture, other cultures, an amazing amount of humanity that worked together. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amazing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of amaze entry 1

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amazing was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near amazing

Cite this Entry

“Amazing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amazing. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amazing

adjective
: causing amazement, great wonder, or surprise

More from Merriam-Webster on amazing

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