# astounding

/əˈstaʊndɪŋ/ (US) · /ɐstˈaʊndɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/astounding
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. very surprising

adjective · CEFR B2

so surprising or amazing that it is hard to believe.

For teachers: causing great surprise or sudden wonder; characterized by an ability to shock or amaze the observer.

- The team made an astounding comeback and won the game in the final minute.
- The archaeological team made an astounding discovery when they unearthed a perfectly preserved villa beneath the modern city streets.

Usage: Usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

Teaching tip: This is a stronger word than 'surprising'. It implies that the person seeing or hearing the news is almost shocked by it.

## Examples

- The view from the top was astounding.
- Her recovery from the accident was astounding to the medical team.
- The sheer scale of the ancient ruins left the visitors with an astounding sense of history and human achievement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.