Word
dazzle
Phoneticsdaz·zle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdæzəɫ/
UK/dˈæzəl/
Definition
v. to impress someone very much with your skill, beauty, or intelligence. It can also mean to blind someone for a short time with a very bright light.
v. to impress deeply through brilliance, skill, or exceptional qualities; alternatively, to temporarily deprive of sight by exposure to intense light. Transitive in most modern contexts.
Examples
“The bright sun began to dazzle the driver.”
“The young pianist managed to dazzle the judges with her technical speed and emotional depth.”
“The architect aimed to dazzle visitors by using floor-to-ceiling mirrors that reflected the city skyline from every possible angle.”
Examples
simple
“The bright sun began to dazzle the driver.”
contextual
“The young pianist managed to dazzle the judges with her technical speed and emotional depth.”
complex
“The architect aimed to dazzle visitors by using floor-to-ceiling mirrors that reflected the city skyline from every possible angle.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; often used in the passive voice to describe being overwhelmed by brilliance.
Real-World Examples
“He may not have their presenting experience, but he’s not as dazzled by the glitter as his co-hosts.” Etymology
From daze + -le, a frequentative form.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dazzle