amazement
Americannoun
-
overwhelming surprise or astonishment.
-
Obsolete.
-
stupefaction; frenzy.
-
noun
-
incredulity or great astonishment; complete wonder or surprise
-
obsolete bewilderment or consternation
Etymology
Origin of amazement
Explanation
Amazement is what you feel when you're shocked or astonished by something. When you feel amazement, you can't quite believe what you're seeing or hearing. To amaze someone is to shock, surprise, and astonish them. Amazement is the emotion produced by truly unusual and surprising things. A juggler throwing around fire can produce amazement. A child reciting thousands of digits of Pi will create amazement. Parents feel amazement at the birth of their children. This is a strong feeling resulting from incredible events. No one feels amazement about average, boring stuff.
Vocabulary lists containing amazement
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Tempest," Vocabulary from Acts 1 and 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 3
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its director, Geert Hillaert, said his first reaction was "surprise and amazement", adding that he hoped the loot might eventually be used to support the charity's work and meet the "enormous need we experience daily".
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Throughout human history eclipses have stirred amazement, fear and reverence, as they appear to momentarily halt the normal course of nature.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
Graham sometimes expressed amazement with how much access he had to Trump, telling Holder the president was easier to reach than Holder himself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
It's clutching at straws to try to look for France weaknesses because at times you watch open-mouthed in amazement when the front four is in full flow.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
They poked and prodded me all through the afternoon and evening until finally the doctors shook their heads in amazement and told me I was totally okay.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
