breathtaking

breathtaking — adjective

1. so beautiful, exciting, or unexpectedly impressive that it makes you stop and st

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

so beautiful, exciting, or unexpectedly impressive that it makes you stop and stare for a moment.

Example

At sunrise, the lake looked breathtaking under a line of pink clouds.

linking verb: look breathtaking

The dancers gave a breathtaking performance in the crowded city square.

collocation: breathtaking performance

Common collocations
  • breathtaking view
  • breathtaking scenery
  • breathtaking performance
  • breathtaking beauty
  • breathtaking finish
Synonyms
  • stunning

    very close, often especially used for beauty or strong visual impact.

  • spectacular

    stresses size, drama, or public display more than personal wonder.

  • amazing

    broader and more conversational; it can praise quality as well as surprise.

  • awe-inspiring

    slightly more formal and often suggests deep respect as well as wonder.

Antonyms
  • ordinary

    not special or striking.

  • dull

    lacking excitement or visual interest.

  • unimpressive

    not good enough to cause admiration or surprise.

Grammar Patterns

breathtaking + noun

be breathtaking

look breathtaking

Usage Note

Often describes views, scenery, performances, or dramatic results, and it commonly appears before a noun or after be, look, and seem. In modern everyday use, it usually praises something striking rather than describing real trouble breathing.

Common Mistakes

I was breathtaking by the view.
I was breathless at the view.' / 'The view was breathtaking.
'breathtaking' describes the thing that has the effect, not the person's feeling.
The waterfall was very breathtaking.
The waterfall was breathtaking.
the adjective is already very strong, so 'very' is often unnecessary.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Breathtaking is used for beauty, excitement, or surprise so strong that you almost pause in front of it. Stunning is very close, but it is especially common for looks and visual effect. Spectacular often suggests something large, dramatic, or designed to impress, such as fireworks or a sports finish. Amazing is broader and more conversational, so it can praise many good things without the same vivid image. Awe-inspiring is slightly more formal and can add a feeling of deep respect. A mountain view can be breathtaking, a dress stunning, a parade spectacular, a meal amazing, and an ancient temple awe-inspiring.

breathtaking ↗stunning ↗spectacular ↗amazing ↗awe-inspiring

Common collocations

Nouns

  • breathtaking view
  • breathtaking scenery
  • breathtaking performance
  • breathtaking beauty
  • breathtaking finish

Adverbs

  • absolutely breathtaking
  • truly breathtaking
  • simply breathtaking

Phrases

  • look breathtaking
  • be absolutely breathtaking
  • a breathtaking view of

Etymology

Old EnglishOld NorseEnglish

Breathtaking was formed in English from breath, take, and the adjective ending -ing, and it grew out of the idea of something that 'takes your breath away'. Breath comes from Old English, while take came into English from Old Norse. The earliest image was almost literal, but the usual modern meaning is figurative: a sight, performance, or result can be so striking that it seems to stop your breath for a moment.