# sensational

/sɛnˈseɪʃənəɫ/ (US) · /sɛnsˈeɪʃənəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sensational
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. exceptionally good

adjective · CEFR B2

extremely good, impressive, or attractive.

For teachers: denoting something of exceptionally high quality or excellence; often used as a superlative in informal or semi-formal contexts.

- The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely sensational.
- The young pianist gave a sensational performance that left the audience in stunned silence before they erupted into applause.

### 2. shocking or exaggerated

adjective · CEFR B2

trying to get people's attention by using shocking details or exaggerating the truth.

For teachers: intended to provoke strong public interest or excitement, often at the expense of accuracy or nuance.

- The newspaper used a sensational headline to sell more copies.
- Critics accused the documentary of being overly sensational, arguing that it focused on scandalous rumours rather than the documented facts of the case.

### 3. relating to the senses

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

relating to your physical senses, like touch, sight, or hearing.

For teachers: pertaining to physical sensation or the operation of the senses.

- The experiment measured the sensational response of the skin to different temperatures.
- The research paper explores the sensational pathways through which the brain processes tactile stimuli in high-pressure environments.

## Examples

- The view from the top of the mountain is sensational.
- The newspaper was criticized for its sensational headlines that focused on gossip rather than the actual facts of the case.
- While the soloist gave a sensational performance that captivated the audience, the critics remained wary of the sensationalist media coverage surrounding her personal life.

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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.