ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stunning

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈstənɪŋ// UK //stˈʌnɪŋ// stun·ning General-service Informal

v. extremely beautiful or impressive. You use this to describe something that makes you stop and look because it is so amazing.

v. strikingly impressive or beautiful; causing great surprise or wonder. Often used as a high-intensity synonym for 'beautiful' or 'impressive' in descriptive registers.


SIMPLE

The view from the top of the mountain is stunning.

CONTEXTUAL

The actress wore a stunning gold dress that captured everyone's attention on the red carpet.

COMPLEX

The documentary features stunning cinematography that highlights the fragile beauty of the Arctic landscape before it disappears forever.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English stunnyng, stunnynge, stounyng, equivalent to stun + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English stunnyng, stonyng (also stoniynge, stonyynge), equivalent to stun + -ing.

Usage

Typically functions as a gradable adjective, though it already carries a strong superlative force.

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