adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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US:/ˈbɹɛθˌteɪ.kɪŋ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:B R EH1 TH T EY2 K IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
stunningly beautiful; amazing
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He went to the Grand Canyon and spent a week taking in the breathtaking scenery all around him.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Very surprising or shocking; to such a degree as to cause astonishment.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
Examples
breathtaking stupidity or rudeness
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective satellite
Meaning 3
tending to cause suspension of regular breathing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a breathless flight
breathtaking adventure
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: breathless
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From breath + taking.
Across languages
Translations
40 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Chinese Mandarin:
驚險 /惊险
(jīngxiǎn)
— stunningly beautiful
Chinese Mandarin:
嘆為觀止的 /叹为观止的
(tànwéiguānzhǐ de)
— stunningly beautiful
Czech:
úchvatný
— stunningly beautiful
Czech:
dechberoucí
— stunningly beautiful
Dutch:
adembenemend
— stunningly beautiful
Finnish:
henkeäsalpaava
— stunningly beautiful
French:
époustouflant
— stunningly beautiful
French:
à couper le souffle
— stunningly beautiful
