spectacular
gb/spɛktˈækjəlɚ/ us/spɛktˈækjəlɚ/
B1
English
~ 6000
látványos, lenyűgöző, látványos produkció, nagyszabású show
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is spectacular
We woke up to a spectacular view of the mountains covered in snow.
Amikor felébredtünk, lenyűgöző kilátás nyílt a hóval borított hegyekre.
The final scene of the movie is visually spectacular but not very realistic.
A film utolsó jelenete vizuálisan látványos, de nem túl valósághű.
The city puts on a spectacular fireworks display every New Year’s Eve.
From the top of the tower, the night skyline was absolutely spectacular.
The dancers gave a spectacular performance that had the audience cheering for minutes.
Learner examples
The sunset was spectacular last night.
Tegnap este lenyűgöző volt a naplemente.
We had a spectacular view from our hotel room.
Lenyűgöző kilátás nyílt a hotelszobánkból.
The show was spectacular, and everyone clapped loudly.
The colors of the trees in autumn are spectacular.
The city lights looked spectacular from the bridge.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *very spectacular* too often. In many cases, just *spectacular* is strong enough on its own. Also, some confuse *spectacular* (adjective) with *spectacle* (noun) and say *The view is a spectacular* instead of *The view is spectacular*.
Meaning
extremely impressive to see or experience
Collocations
spectacular view
|spectacular scenery
|spectacular fireworks
|spectacular performance
|absolutely spectacular
|look spectacular
Synonyms
breathtaking (Often suggests something so beautiful or impressive it almost stops you from breathing; slightly more emotional.)
Antonyms
unimpressive (Describes something that fails to attract attention or admiration.)
Themes
daily life
|entertainment
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very beautiful, exciting, or surprising to see or experience.
Very impressive, dramatic, or striking in a way that strongly attracts attention, especially to the eyes or senses.
B2
2
látványos
B2
Usage pattern:
a spectacular [result/event/change]
The company has seen spectacular growth over the last five years.
A vállalat látványos növekedést ért el az elmúlt öt évben.
Her first book was a spectacular success, selling millions of copies worldwide.
Első könyve látványos siker volt, világszerte több millió példányban kelt el.
The project ended in spectacular failure when the main investor pulled out.
The athlete made a spectacular comeback after two years away from competition.
There has been a spectacular rise in online sales this quarter.
Learner examples
The team had a spectacular win last night.
A csapat tegnap este látványos győzelmet aratott.
His business was a spectacular success.
A vállalkozása látványos siker lett.
The party was a spectacular failure because nobody came.
The singer became famous after a spectacular show on TV.
Prices showed a spectacular rise last year.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse *spectacular* where *good*, *big*, or *very good* would sound more natural. *Spectacular* should be saved for results or changes that are truly unusual or dramatic.
Meaning
very great or dramatic in degree
Collocations
spectacular success
|spectacular failure
|spectacular growth
|spectacular rise
|spectacular results
Synonyms
remarkable (Highlights that something is worth noticing; slightly less dramatic and emotional than *spectacular*.)
Antonyms
modest (Describes results or changes that are small or not especially impressive.)
Themes
business
|news
|achievements
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very big or very strong in result or effect, often surprisingly so.
Extremely great, dramatic, or impressive in degree, size, or effect, especially in achievements, changes, or failures.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a [type] spectacular
The director’s latest film is a three-hour action spectacular.
A rendező legújabb filmje háromórás, látványos akcióprodukció.
They turned the opening ceremony into a huge musical spectacular.
A megnyitóünnepséget hatalmas zenés show-vá alakították.
Every year the network broadcasts a Christmas spectacular with famous singers.
The theme park is planning a nighttime light spectacular for the summer season.
Fans packed the stadium for a rock spectacular featuring five major bands.
Learner examples
We watched a big TV spectacular on New Year’s Eve.
Szilveszterkor egy nagyszabású tévés show-t néztünk.
The show was a dance spectacular with many lights and colors.
A műsor látványos táncprodukció volt, sok fénnyel és színnel.
They went to a Hollywood spectacular with many famous actors.
The city held a music spectacular in the park.
The festival ended with a fireworks spectacular.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun *a spectacular* with the adjective and say *It was very a spectacular* instead of *It was a spectacular* or *It was very spectacular.* Also, this noun use is less common in everyday speech than the adjective, so overusing it can sound unusual.
Meaning
large impressive show or event
Collocations
a Hollywood spectacular
|TV spectacular
|stage spectacular
|musical spectacular
Synonyms
extravaganza (Stresses being very large, expensive, and showy, and is slightly more formal or literary.)
Antonyms
low-key event (Describes an event that is quiet and simple rather than big and showy.)
Themes
entertainment
|media
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very big and exciting show or event made to impress people.
A big, elaborate show or event that is designed to be very impressive and entertaining, often with many special visual effects.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spectacular
IPA
GB/spɛktˈækjəlɚ/
US/spɛktˈækjəlɚ/
Syllables & stress
spec - tac - u - lar (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tac)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: spectacular
Word family
Expressions
nothing short of spectacular
1/nˈʌθɪŋ ʃˈɔɹt əv spɛktˈækjəlɚ/
idiom
completely and extremely impressive
Used to say that something is extremely impressive and cannot be called anything less.
Examples
- The view from the top of the cliff was nothing short of spectacular.
- Her performance last night was nothing short of spectacular.
on a spectacular scale
1/ˈɔn ə spɛktˈækjəlɚ skˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
in a very large impressive way
Happening in a way that is both very big and very impressive.
Examples
- The city celebrated the holiday on a spectacular scale.
- Environmental damage is occurring on a spectacular scale in the region.
spectacular failure
1/spɛktˈækjəlɚ fˈeɪljɚ/
fixed phrase
an extremely dramatic failure
A failure that is very big and very clear, often in a way that many people notice.
Examples
- The new app was a spectacular failure and was removed from the store within a week.
- His attempt to start a restaurant ended in spectacular failure.
spectacular success
1/spɛktˈækjəlɚ səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
an extremely impressive success
A success that is very big and very impressive, often more than people expected.
Examples
- Her latest product launch was a spectacular success.
- The festival turned out to be a spectacular success despite the bad weather.