amaze

[uh-meyz]

verb (used with object)

amazed, amazing 

1. to overwhelm with surprise or sudden wonder; astonish greatly.

   It will never cease to amaze me how fast children grow.

   She was amazed that someone could be serious about something so incredibly absurd.

   Synonyms: flabbergast, stun, dumbfound, astound

2. Obsolete.,  to bewilder; perplex.

verb (used without object)

amazed, amazing 

1. to cause amazement.

   The museum has a new art show that delights and amazes.

noun

1. Archaic.,  amazement.

amaze

/ əˈmeɪz /

verb

1. to fill with incredulity or surprise; astonish

2. an obsolete word for bewilder

noun

1. an archaic word for amazement

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaze¹

First recorded before 1000; from Middle English amasen, from Old English āmasian “to confuse, stun, astonish,” equivalent to a- ³, + unattested *masian “to confuse”; maze ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaze¹

Old English āmasian

Synonym Study

See surprise.

Example Sentences

Shock horror in a political campaign, you'll be amazed that the two women have both been caricatured.

Read more on BBC

"Now I'm able to do something I did as a hobby as a full-time job. It's amazing. I get to do what I love day in, day out - twice a day, three times a day."

Read more on BBC

"And being immersed in them immediately was amazing, is amazing. It's still amazing."

Read more on BBC

"I'm not really that into concept albums, but it's got an amazing story from beginning to end - and it never compromises the songs," agrees Oddie.

Read more on BBC

"Why do I want to wait until I am in my 60s, desperate and need it? I want to look and feel amazing now."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affect 
• alarm 
• astonish 
• astound 
• bewilder 
• daze 
• dumbfound 
• flabbergast 
• impress 
• perplex 
• shock 
• stagger 
• startle 
• stun