amazed
You feel amazed when you are very surprised by something wonderful or impressive.
Explanation at your level:
You use amazed when you are very surprised. If you see a big, beautiful cake, you might say, 'I am amazed!' It means you are happy and surprised.
When something is very good or unexpected, you feel amazed. For example, if your friend shows you a cool magic trick, you can say, 'I am amazed by that trick!' It is a great way to show you are impressed.
The word amazed is used to describe a feeling of wonder. It is stronger than just being 'surprised.' You might be amazed at the speed of a car or amazed by how well someone speaks a new language. Remember: you are amazed (the feeling), but the thing you saw is amazing.
In B2 English, we use amazed to express deep appreciation or astonishment. It is often used in professional or academic settings to show high levels of respect, such as 'I was amazed by the depth of the research.' It is a versatile word that conveys both emotional engagement and intellectual surprise.
At the C1 level, amazed functions as a tool for nuance. You might use it in literary contexts to describe a character's internal state of awe. It is frequently paired with adverbs like 'thoroughly,' 'genuinely,' or 'profoundly' to heighten the impact of the statement. It captures that specific moment where reality exceeds expectations, often used in contrast to cynicism or boredom.
C2 mastery involves understanding the subtle distinction between 'amazed' and its synonyms like 'astonished' or 'astounded.' While 'amazed' retains a sense of wonder and positive surprise, 'astonished' often implies a sudden, sharp shock. Using 'amazed' effectively requires an awareness of the speaker's intent—are they expressing simple delight, or are they articulating a profound shift in perspective? It is a staple of descriptive prose, allowing for a bridge between the speaker's internal emotional landscape and the external stimuli that provoke such a reaction.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It describes a feeling of wonder.
- Use 'at' or 'by' after the word.
- Don't confuse it with 'amazing'.
- It is a very positive word.
When you are amazed, you are feeling a mix of surprise and wonder. It is a powerful emotion that happens when you see something so impressive that you almost cannot believe your eyes.
Think about the last time you saw a professional magician perform a trick that seemed impossible. That feeling of 'How did they do that?' is exactly what being amazed feels like. It is a very positive word, usually reserved for things that are beautiful, clever, or truly unexpected.
Unlike being 'shocked'—which can sometimes be scary or negative—being amazed is almost always a happy or awe-inspiring experience. It is the feeling of being completely caught up in the magic of a moment.
The word amazed comes from the Middle English word 'amasen,' which meant to stun, confuse, or put into a maze. Imagine being lost in a literal maze; you would feel completely bewildered and stuck!
Over time, the meaning shifted from a negative sense of being 'lost' or 'confused' to the more positive sense of being 'overwhelmed by wonder.' By the 17th century, it was commonly used to describe the feeling of being struck with awe.
It is fascinating how the word evolved from the idea of being trapped in a physical structure to being mentally 'trapped' by a beautiful or surprising sight. It shows how language changes to reflect our emotional growth as humans.
You will most often hear this word used with the preposition 'at' or 'by.' For example, you might say, 'I was amazed at the view' or 'I was amazed by her talent.'
It is a very common word in both casual conversation and formal writing. Because it is an adjective, you will often find it paired with 'to be' verbs like 'I am,' 'she was,' or 'they were.'
If you want to sound more expressive, you can use intensifiers like 'utterly,' 'completely,' or 'truly' before the word. Saying 'I was utterly amazed' adds a lot of emphasis to your reaction.
While 'amazed' is a straightforward adjective, it is often linked to expressions of wonder. 1. To be lost for words: When you are so amazed you cannot speak. 2. A sight to behold: Something so amazing it must be seen. 3. To take someone's breath away: When something is so amazing it makes you gasp. 4. Beyond belief: Used when something is so amazing it seems impossible. 5. Jaw-dropping: An adjective for something that makes your jaw drop in amazement.
As an adjective, 'amazed' describes how a person feels. Do not confuse it with 'amazing,' which describes the thing causing the feeling! You are amazed, but the movie is amazing.
The pronunciation in IPA is /əˈmeɪzd/. The stress is on the second syllable: a-MAZED. It rhymes with 'glazed,' 'phased,' and 'raised.'
It is a regular adjective and does not have a plural form. When using it in a sentence, ensure you follow it with the correct preposition ('at' or 'by') to connect it to the object of your amazement.
Fun Fact
It originally meant to be lost in a literal maze!
Pronunciation Guide
The 'a' is a schwa sound, then 'may' like 'day', ending with a soft 'zd'.
Similar to UK, clear 'z' sound at the end.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'z' as an 's'
- Stressing the first syllable (A-mazed instead of a-MAZED)
- Adding an extra syllable at the end
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Commonly used
Very useful
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Participial Adjectives
Interested vs Interesting
Prepositions with Adjectives
Amazed at/by
Intensifiers
Utterly, completely
Examples by Level
I am amazed!
I (me) am (feeling) amazed (surprised).
Simple subject + verb + adjective.
The toy is amazing.
The toy (object) is amazing (causing the feeling).
Using -ing form for the object.
Wow, I am amazed.
Wow (surprise) I am amazed.
Interjection used for emphasis.
He is amazed.
He (boy) is amazed.
Third person singular.
She is amazed.
She (girl) is amazed.
Third person singular.
We are amazed.
We (group) are amazed.
Plural subject.
They are amazed.
They (people) are amazed.
Plural subject.
It is amazing.
It (the thing) is amazing.
Describing an event.
I was amazed at the magic trick.
She was amazed by the beautiful garden.
They were amazed at the fast car.
I am amazed by your hard work.
He was amazed at the big cake.
We were amazed by the funny show.
The child was amazed at the zoo.
You will be amazed by the view.
I was truly amazed at how quickly he learned.
She was amazed by the kindness of the strangers.
Everyone was amazed at the talent on stage.
I am amazed at how much you have grown.
He was amazed by the complexity of the puzzle.
We were amazed at the beauty of the mountains.
They were amazed by the sudden change in weather.
I was amazed at his ability to solve the problem.
I was utterly amazed at the sheer scale of the project.
She was amazed by the level of detail in the painting.
The audience was amazed at the performer's agility.
I am constantly amazed by how technology evolves.
He was amazed at the efficiency of the new system.
We were amazed by the depth of her knowledge.
They were amazed at the success of the campaign.
I was amazed by the resilience of the local community.
I was profoundly amazed at the philosophical insights he shared.
She was amazed by the intricate layers of the narrative.
The scientists were amazed at the unexpected results.
I am often amazed at the capacity of the human spirit.
He was amazed by the sheer audacity of the plan.
We were amazed at the seamless integration of art and science.
They were amazed by the historical significance of the site.
I was amazed at how the situation unfolded.
One cannot help but be amazed at the exquisite craftsmanship of the era.
She was amazed by the sheer magnitude of the cosmic event.
The critics were amazed at the director's bold stylistic choices.
I am perpetually amazed at the complexity of linguistic evolution.
He was amazed by the profound silence of the ancient ruins.
We were amazed at the sheer elegance of the mathematical proof.
They were amazed by the unexpected turn of events in the novel.
I was amazed at the breathtaking scope of the exhibition.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"jaw-dropping"
so amazing that your jaw drops
The view was jaw-dropping.
casual"take someone's breath away"
to be so beautiful it makes you gasp
The sunset took my breath away.
neutral"a sight to behold"
something wonderful to look at
The parade was a sight to behold.
formal"lost for words"
cannot speak because of amazement
I was lost for words when I won.
neutral"beyond belief"
hard to believe
His skill is beyond belief.
neutral"eyes popped out"
very surprised
My eyes popped out when I saw the car.
casualEasily Confused
Both come from the same root.
Amazed = feeling; Amazing = the cause.
I am amazed; the show is amazing.
They look and sound similar.
Amused = finding something funny; Amazed = feeling wonder.
The joke amused me; the magic amazed me.
Both mean surprised.
Astonished is often sharper or more sudden.
I was amazed by the art, but astonished by the sudden noise.
It is the noun form.
Amazement is the noun; amazed is the adjective.
I stared in amazement; I was amazed.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + be + amazed + at + noun
I was amazed at the view.
Subject + be + amazed + by + noun
She was amazed by the gift.
Subject + be + amazed + to + verb
I was amazed to hear that.
Subject + be + [intensifier] + amazed
He was utterly amazed.
It + be + [adjective] + to + be + amazed
It is easy to be amazed by nature.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Use -ed for feelings, -ing for the thing causing the feeling.
The correct preposition is 'at' or 'by', not 'of'.
The movie causes the feeling, so use -ing.
While 'very' is okay, 'completely' or 'utterly' is more natural with 'amazed'.
You need the verb 'to be' (was) before the adjective.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Picture a giant maze in your head, and when you reach the end, you are amazed!
When Native Speakers Use It
When seeing something cool or hearing good news.
Cultural Insight
It is a very polite and positive word to use in compliments.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: -ed for the person, -ing for the thing.
Say It Right
Don't say 'a-maz-ed' as three syllables, it is two!
Don't Make This Mistake
Never say 'amazed of'.
Did You Know?
It is related to the word 'maze'.
Study Smart
Write five sentences about things that amazed you this week.
Writing Tip
Use it to add emotion to your stories.
Speaking Tip
Use your hands to show the size of your surprise!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-MAZED: A person in a MAZE is amazed when they find the exit!
Visual Association
Imagine someone standing in a corn maze, suddenly seeing the exit and their mouth dropping open.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say 'I am amazed by...' to three different things today.
Word Origin
Middle English
Original meaning: To put into a maze or confuse
Cultural Context
None, it is a very positive word.
Used frequently in positive feedback and casual social interaction.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a show
- The show was amazing
- I was amazed by the talent
- It left me amazed
In nature
- I was amazed at the view
- The mountain was amazing
- Nature is amazing
Learning
- I am amazed at how much I learned
- The facts were amazing
- I was amazed by the teacher
Gifts
- I am amazed by this gift
- It is an amazing present
- I was amazed to receive it
Conversation Starters
"What is the last thing that amazed you?"
"Have you ever been amazed by a magic trick?"
"Do you think people are easily amazed?"
"What is the most amazing place you have ever visited?"
"Who is the most amazing person you know?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were amazed.
Write about a place that left you feeling amazed.
If you could do something amazing, what would it be?
Why do you think people feel amazed?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually yes, it implies wonder or pleasant surprise.
No, always 'amazed at' or 'amazed by'.
Amazed is much stronger and usually implies wonder.
Yes, you can be amazed by their talent or kindness.
No, 'amaze' is the verb, 'amazed' is the adjective.
It sounds like a soft 'd' sound, almost like a 't' if spoken fast.
Yes, but 'completely' or 'utterly' sounds better.
From the Middle English word for a maze.
Test Yourself
I am ___ by the magic.
We use -ed for feelings.
Which sentence is correct?
We use 'at' or 'by' after amazed.
The word 'amazing' describes a person's feeling.
Amazing describes the thing, amazed describes the feeling.
Word
Meaning
Adjective forms explained.
Subject + verb + adjective + prep + object.
He was ___ amazed by the discovery.
Utterly is a strong intensifier.
What is the best synonym for amazed in a formal context?
Astounded is more formal.
Can you say 'The book was amazed'?
Books cannot feel, so they are amazing.
I was amazed ___ see the surprise party.
Followed by infinitive 'to' + verb.
Word
Meaning
Synonym matching.
Score: /10
Summary
When you are amazed, you are experiencing the wonderful power of surprise!
- It describes a feeling of wonder.
- Use 'at' or 'by' after the word.
- Don't confuse it with 'amazing'.
- It is a very positive word.
Memory Palace Trick
Picture a giant maze in your head, and when you reach the end, you are amazed!
When Native Speakers Use It
When seeing something cool or hearing good news.
Cultural Insight
It is a very polite and positive word to use in compliments.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: -ed for the person, -ing for the thing.
Example
I was amazed by the beautiful sunset yesterday evening.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
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abanimize
C1The systematic process of neutralizing or stripping away emotional intensity from a situation to achieve a state of detached objectivity. It is primarily used to describe a mental state where complex human sentiments are reduced to manageable, clinical facts to avoid personal bias.
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abmotine
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abominable
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abphilous
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abvidness
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adacrty
C1Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.
