breathtaking
gb/bɹˈɛθtˌeɪkɪŋ/ us/bɹˈɛθtˌeɪkɪŋ/
B2
English
lélegzetelállító, elképesztő, kifullasztó, fullasztó, szédítő
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is breathtaking; breathtaking [noun]
The view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking.
A hegy tetejéről nyíló kilátás lélegzetelállító volt.
They watched a breathtaking sunset over the ocean.
A tenger fölött nézték a lélegzetelállító naplementét.
Her breathtaking performance brought the audience to its feet.
Learner examples
The waterfall is breathtaking.
A vízesés lélegzetelállító.
We saw breathtaking scenery on our trip.
Az utunk során lélegzetelállító tájakat láttunk.
Common mistake:
Often used about things (views, scenery, performances), not usually about everyday small objects.
Meaning
extremely beautiful or impressive
Collocations
breathtaking view
|breathtaking scenery
|breathtaking landscape
|breathtaking beauty
|breathtaking vista
|breathtaking panorama
|breathtaking performance
|breathtaking design
|breathtaking architecture
|breathtaking images
Synonyms
stunning (More common and slightly less formal.)
|
spectacular (Emphasizes size or dramatic effect.)
|
gorgeous (More directly about beauty, less about awe.)
Antonyms
unimpressive (Not striking or memorable.)
|
ordinary (Normal and not special.)
Themes
describing_things
|travel
|arts
Definition
Very, very beautiful or impressive.
Extremely beautiful, impressive, or awe-inspiring.
C1
2
elképesztő
B2
Usage pattern:
a breathtaking [amount/claim/price]; [something] is breathtaking
The hotel’s prices were breathtaking, even in the off-season.
A hotel árai még holtszezonban is elképesztőek voltak.
He made a breathtaking claim with no evidence to support it.
Mindenféle bizonyíték nélkül tett egy elképesztő állítást.
The report revealed a breathtaking level of corruption.
Learner examples
The bill was breathtaking.
A számla összege elképesztő volt.
Her story was breathtaking.
A története elképesztő volt.
Common mistake:
In this sense it can sound critical (e.g., a 'breathtaking' mistake/price), not always positive.
Meaning
extremely surprising or shocking
Collocations
breathtaking claim
|breathtaking price
|breathtaking amount
|breathtaking scale
|breathtaking arrogance
|breathtaking hypocrisy
|breathtaking lie
|breathtaking mistake
|breathtaking jump
|breathtaking increase
Synonyms
astonishing (More neutral and common for facts or numbers.)
|
shocking (Stronger negative reaction is typical.)
|
mind-blowing (More informal.)
Antonyms
unsurprising (Expected or predictable.)
|
routine (Normal and not remarkable.)
Themes
emotions
|news
|daily_life
Definition
Very surprising in a strong way.
So surprising, shocking, or extreme that it is hard to believe.
C1
3
kifullasztó
B2
fullasztó
B2
Usage pattern:
a breathtaking [climb/run/moment]; [something] is breathtaking
The final sprint was breathtaking, and he could barely speak afterward.
A végső sprint kifullasztó volt, utána alig tudott megszólalni.
She felt a breathtaking wave of panic when she couldn’t find her phone.
Amikor nem találta a telefonját, fullasztó pánikhullám tört rá.
The cold air at the summit was breathtaking at first.
Learner examples
The climb was breathtaking.
A mászás kifullasztó volt.
I had a breathtaking moment of fear.
Egy pillanatra a félelemtől alig kaptam levegőt.
Common mistake:
Not the same as 'breathless' (which often describes the person); 'breathtaking' usually describes the cause.
Meaning
making you breathe hard briefly
Collocations
breathtaking climb
|breathtaking run
|breathtaking dive
|breathtaking fall
|breathtaking height
|breathtaking drop
|breathtaking moment
|breathtaking fear
|breathtaking pain
|breathtaking exertion
Synonyms
breath-stopping (More vivid; often used for fear or suspense.)
|
exhilarating (More positive; focuses on excitement rather than breath.)
Antonyms
gentle (Not intense or physically demanding.)
|
comfortable (Not causing physical strain.)
Themes
health
|sports
|emotions
Definition
Making you breathe hard for a moment.
Causing you to lose your breath or breathe with difficulty for a short time, especially from exertion, fear, or strong emotion.
C1
4
szédítő
B2
Usage pattern:
at a breathtaking pace/rate; breathtaking speed
Technology is changing at a breathtaking pace.
A technológia szédítő ütemben változik.
The company expanded at a breathtaking rate over five years.
A vállalat öt év alatt szédítő ütemben terjeszkedett.
He drove at a breathtaking speed on the highway.
Learner examples
The city is growing at a breathtaking pace.
A város szédítő ütemben növekszik.
The train moved at a breathtaking speed.
A vonat szédítő sebességgel haladt.
Common mistake:
Commonly used with 'pace' or 'rate'; avoid using it as an adverb (*'breathtaking fast').
Meaning
extremely fast or rapid
Collocations
breathtaking pace
|breathtaking rate
|breathtaking speed
|breathtaking growth
|breathtaking progress
|breathtaking acceleration
|breathtaking turnaround
|breathtaking expansion
|breathtaking rise
|breathtaking change
Synonyms
rapid (More neutral and less dramatic.)
|
breakneck (Stresses speed and risk; more informal.)
Antonyms
slow (Not fast or quick.)
|
gradual (Happening in small steps over time.)
Themes
business
|technology
|change
Definition
Very fast; happening very quickly.
Extremely fast or happening very quickly, often in a way that feels hard to keep up with.
C1
5
Usage pattern:
a breathtaking [finish/goal/scene/sequence]
It was a breathtaking finish, with the winner decided in the last second.
Lélegzetelállító hajrá volt, a győztes kiléte csak az utolsó másodpercben dőlt el.
The film opens with a breathtaking chase scene.
A film egy lélegzetelállító üldözéses jelenettel kezdődik.
They pulled off a breathtaking comeback in the second half.
Learner examples
The game had a breathtaking finish.
A meccs lélegzetelállító hajrával ért véget.
The movie has a breathtaking scene.
A filmben van egy lélegzetelállító jelenet.
Common mistake:
Often used for a specific moment or sequence (e.g., a 'breathtaking finish'), not for long ordinary activities.
Meaning
highly exciting and dramatic
Collocations
breathtaking finish
|breathtaking finale
|breathtaking goal
|breathtaking comeback
|breathtaking scene
|breathtaking sequence
|breathtaking twist
|breathtaking match
|breathtaking race
|breathtaking victory
Synonyms
thrilling (More common; focuses on excitement.)
|
gripping (Emphasizes holding attention and suspense.)
Antonyms
boring (Not interesting or exciting.)
|
flat (Lacking energy or emotion.)
Themes
sports
|arts
|entertainment
Definition
Very exciting and dramatic.
Extremely exciting, dramatic, or emotionally intense, especially in sports or entertainment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
breathtaking
IPA
GB/bɹˈɛθtˌeɪkɪŋ/
US/bɹˈɛθtˌeɪkɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
breath - tak - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (breath)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: breathtaking
Word family
Negative and opposite forms
Related words
breathable
adjective
Expressions
a breathtaking view
1/ə bɹˈɛθtˌeɪkɪŋ vjˈu/
fixed phrase
a very beautiful scene
A view that is very beautiful.
Examples
- Our room had a breathtaking view of the bay.
- They stopped at the lookout to take in the breathtaking view.
- At the top, a breathtaking view opened up across the valley.
Learner examples
- There is a breathtaking view from here.
at a breathtaking pace
1/ˈæt ə bɹˈɛθtˌeɪkɪŋ pˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
very quickly; rapidly
Very fast; very quickly.
Examples
- New apps appear at a breathtaking pace these days.
- The neighborhood has been redeveloped at a breathtaking pace.
- Prices rose at a breathtaking pace after the storm.
Learner examples
- Technology is changing at a breathtaking pace.