# staggering

/ˈstæɡɝˌɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈæɡəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. shocking or impressive

adjective · CEFR B2

very shocking or surprising because it is so large or extreme.

For teachers: deeply shocking, astonishing, or overwhelming, typically in reference to a quantity, cost, or achievement.

- The cost of repairing the old bridge was a staggering five million dollars.
- The company reported a staggering loss in the third quarter, far exceeding the pessimistic predictions of most market analysts.

### 2. walking unsteadily

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

walking or moving as if you are about to fall over.

For teachers: moving or walking unsteadily, as if unable to maintain balance.

- The staggering man tried to hold onto the wall to keep his balance.
- He made a staggering exit from the room, his physical exhaustion evident in every heavy, uncertain step.

### 3. spacing things out

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of arranging things so they happen at different times rather than all at once.

For teachers: the arrangement of events, shifts, or actions so that they occur at different intervals rather than simultaneously.

- The staggering of work hours helped reduce the number of people in the office at one time.
- A careful staggering of the project phases ensured that the specialized equipment was never sitting idle between tasks.

Usage: Often used in business or project management contexts.

## Examples

- The cost of the new stadium is staggering.
- The company reported a staggering loss of five billion dollars in just one quarter.
- The sheer scale of the mountain range was staggering, leaving the hikers feeling insignificant against the backdrop of such immense geological power.

---

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.