Breathtaking Meaning
/ˈbɹɛθˌteɪ.kɪŋ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjstunningly beautiful; amazing
adjVery surprising or shocking; to such a degree as to cause astonishment.
Sentence Examples
The scenery's supposed to be breathtaking.
The mountains could be seen from afar, and it was a breathtaking sight.
The artistic beauty of the garden is really breathtaking.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
From the mountain summit, they enjoyed a ____ view of the valley.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The view from the top of the mountain was truly ____ and amazing city.
Word Origin & History
From breath + taking.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"One day this old gentleman took me for a tour of the incomparable snowscapes in Chung Nan Hai Park.* Arrayed along the eastern shore of Chung Nan Lake stood a row of linked pavilions that seemed to be floating on the surface of the water. That day, strands of snowflakes sparkled like gems where they had collected between the humps of the enameled roof tiles. The breathtaking beauty of this vista made my soul turn somersaults."
— 2008 [1990], John Blofeld, “The Place I Love Most of All—Peking”, in Daniel Reid, transl., My Journey in Mystic China: Old Pu's Travel Diary, Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, pages 65–66:
"The network was established with breathtaking speed in the 1840s, when more than 250,000 navvies were furiously building our railways."
— 2019 December 18, Nigel Harris, “180 years of tragedy and progress”, in Rail, page 62:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
From the mountain summit, they enjoyed a ____ view of the valley.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The view from the top of the mountain was truly ____ and amazing city.