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

Float through the geological wonder on the Colorado River with an adrenaline-pumping white water adventure or take in the breathtaking views slowly on a smooth water rafting trip. —Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Take the Skyway Monte Bianco gondola up nearly 11,000 feet for breathtaking views. —Hannah Howard, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025

There aren’t many other businesses on the stretch of road, and those who make the trip will find a breathtaking aerial view of metro Denver just around the bend. —Amber Carlson, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025

With 150 feet of shoreline, floor-to-ceiling windows and wrap-around decks, every room offers breathtaking lake views. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 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