remarkable
Americanadjective
-
notably or conspicuously unusual; extraordinary.
a remarkable change.
-
worthy of notice or attention.
- Synonyms:
- striking, distinguished, noteworthy, notable, rare, uncommon, singular, unusual, exceptional
adjective
-
worthy of note or attention
a remarkable achievement
-
unusual, striking, or extraordinary
a remarkable sight
Other Word Forms
- quasi-remarkable adjective
- remarkability noun
- remarkableness noun
- remarkably adverb
- unremarkable adjective
Etymology
Origin of remarkable
From the French word remarquable, dating back to 1595–1605; remark, -able
Explanation
Something remarkable is unusual, exceptional, interesting, or excellent. Remarkable things get your attention. If you take this word literally, you can figure out the meaning: remarkable things make you want to make a remark about them. They get you talking because they're so unusual or good. Getting a B on a test isn't remarkable, unless you usually get D’s. Getting to meet the president would be pretty remarkable. Save this word for things that are really and truly exceptional.
Vocabulary lists containing remarkable
Steve Jobs's Commencement Address (2005)
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 2
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Twelve Angry Men
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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.
These tools allowed them to see inside the specimen in remarkable detail and confirm what had long been suspected.
From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026
"We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year's ceremony -– it's going to be an unforgettable night."
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
Half a century later, West remains seventh all-time in points per game and holds the points-per-game record for a playoff series, numbers even more remarkable because he did it without the three-point shot.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
Ursula von der Leyen and Volodymyr Zelensky have a spring in their step as one of the most remarkable political careers of the 21st century comes to what looks like its end.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
As Hobbes remarked of his friend, ‘Roberval has this peculiarity: whenever people publish any remarkable theorem they have discovered, he immediately announces, in papers which he distributes, that he discovered it first.’
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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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.