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
France have a breathtaking array of attacking options but Dembele is likely to be a regular and could easily compete with compatriot Mbappe for the boot.
From BBC • 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
The May rally for U.S. stocks has been nothing short of breathtaking — unless you have made a point of avoiding the information-technology sector.
From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026
These are lit up from beneath, they’re breathtaking, like stained-glass windows.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
