breathtaking

adjective

breath·​tak·​ing ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ 

1

: causing one to breathe rapidly or with difficulty : making one out of breath

a breathtaking pain in her side

2

a

: exciting, thrilling

a breathtaking race

b

: very great : astonishing

his breathtaking ignorance

breathtakingly

ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• exciting
• thrilling
• interesting
• intriguing
• inspiring

Examples of breathtaking in a Sentence

The train raced past with breathtaking speed.

They gave a breathtaking performance.

The view of the mountains was breathtaking.

a scene of breathtaking beauty

The scope of the error is breathtaking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Runners will love the 1,300-foot outdoor running track located on the hotel’s rooftop featuring breathtaking views of the city. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 1 July 2025

The 54-year-old actor kicked back in a luxury seaside bungalow, complete with a private infinity pool and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 June 2025

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of Palm Jumeirah, the gulf and the Dubai skyline. —Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Looking out from the stage, performers have a breathtaking view of land and ocean. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breathtaking

• awaking
• backbreaking
• bookmaking
• brickmaking
• caretaking
• dressmaking
• filmmaking
• forsaking
• glassmaking
• groundbreaking
• haymaking
• heartbreaking

Kids Definition

breathtaking

adjective

breath·​tak·​ing ˈbreth-ˌtā-kiŋ 

1

: making one out of breath

breathtaking speed

2

: exciting, thrilling

breathtaking beauty

breathtakingly

-kiŋ-lē 

adverb