# dazzle

/ˈdæzəɫ/ (US) · /dˈæzəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dazzle
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; often used in the passive voice to describe being overwhelmed by brilliance.

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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.