breathtaking
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of breathtaking
Explanation
When something is breathtaking, it astonishes or amazes you. A breathtaking work of art can leave you speechless and deeply moved. The adjective breathtaking comes from the earlier phrase "take one's breath away," meaning "leave one breathless with amazement and delight." Anything that produces that feeling in you can be described as breathtaking. You might be astonished at the breathtaking view from the top of a mountain, or moved to tears by a breathtaking film. Beautiful things are often breathtaking.
Vocabulary lists containing breathtaking
Call of Beauty: Synonyms for "Beautiful"
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Wow! Synonyms for "Amazing"
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Unit 6, Week 1
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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.
The technology sector bore the brunt of losses Monday as investors cashed out following a breathtaking surge in recent months powered by a race into all things linked to artificial intelligence.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Earnings are the principal driver behind the breathtaking rallies achieved by Korean and Taiwanese benchmark indices in 2026, and Goldman Sachs thinks the market is still underestimating the longevity of the chip cycle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Then head inside on the second floor rotunda to see the marvelous California history mural and the breathtaking globe chandelier.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
"Seeing it on TV, it gives it that grandeur, but actually seeing it in person, it's really breathtaking."
From BBC • May 30, 2026
The ride from the airport to the Marriott Hotel was absolutely breathtaking.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
Definitions 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.
