remarkable
Something is remarkable if it is very special or unusual and worth noticing.
Explanation at your level:
Remarkable means something is very, very good. If you see a big, beautiful mountain, you can say, 'That mountain is remarkable!' It is a word to use when you are happy or surprised by something. It is like saying 'very special.' Use it when you want to tell your friends about something cool you saw today.
When something is remarkable, it is not normal. It is better than the usual things. For example, if a student gets an A+ on a hard test, that is a remarkable result. You can use this word to describe people, places, or things that you think are great. It helps you show that you are impressed by what you see.
At this level, you can use remarkable to describe changes or achievements. If a company grows very fast, you can say, 'They have made remarkable progress.' It is a useful word for telling stories or giving opinions. It sounds a bit more formal than 'great' or 'amazing,' so it is perfect for school projects or talking to your boss about work.
Remarkable is an excellent word for adding nuance to your descriptions. It implies that something is worthy of being noticed or 'remarked' upon. It is often used in formal writing to emphasize a point. For instance, 'The remarkable thing about his discovery was how simple it was.' It is a more sophisticated alternative to 'extraordinary' or 'notable' and helps elevate your English.
In advanced English, remarkable is used to convey a sense of objective observation mixed with subjective admiration. It is frequently used in academic and journalistic contexts to highlight a specific fact or event that deviates from the norm. You might say, 'The remarkable consistency of the data suggests a new trend.' It is a precise way to draw the listener's attention to a specific detail that might otherwise be overlooked. It carries a tone of intellectual appreciation.
At the mastery level, remarkable functions as a bridge between description and evaluation. It is often used in literary contexts to evoke a sense of wonder or to characterize a figure's unique traits. Etymologically, it connects to the act of 'marking' something in one's mind. A remarkable person is one who leaves a permanent 'mark' on history or on others. It is a versatile tool for rhetoric, allowing a speaker to frame an observation as a significant event. Whether discussing a remarkable shift in geopolitical strategy or a remarkable piece of prose, the word signals to the audience that the subject matter is of significant importance and warrants deep reflection.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Remarkable means worth noticing.
- It is a positive adjective.
- It comes from 'to note'.
- Use it to describe special things.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word remarkable. When you use this word, you are essentially saying that something is so good, strange, or interesting that it deserves a comment. It is a fantastic adjective to use when you want to highlight that something isn't just 'okay'—it's truly exceptional.
Think of it as a step up from 'good' or 'nice.' If you see a sunset that is so beautiful you have to take a photo, you could call it a remarkable sunset. It’s a word that carries a bit of weight and admiration. Whenever you find yourself genuinely surprised by the quality or uniqueness of a person, event, or object, remarkable is the perfect choice to convey that feeling of awe.
The word remarkable has a very logical history. It comes from the French word remarquer, which means 'to note' or 'to observe.' If you break it down, it literally means 'worthy of being remarked upon.' It entered the English language in the 17th century.
Back then, it was used to describe things that were so striking that people felt compelled to talk about them. It shares the same root as the word 'mark,' as in 'to mark something down' or 'to pay attention to.' It’s fascinating how a word that started as a simple instruction to look at something evolved into a way to express high praise and wonder. It shows that in language, what we choose to 'mark' or notice tells a lot about what we value.
You can use remarkable in both professional and casual settings. It works well in a business report—like saying 'The team made a remarkable improvement in sales'—or in a casual conversation with a friend, such as 'That was a remarkable performance last night!'
It often pairs with adverbs to make the meaning even stronger. You will frequently hear people say truly remarkable, quite remarkable, or absolutely remarkable. Because it is a strong word, you don't need to overdo it. Using it once in a while makes your point much more effective than using it in every sentence. It sits nicely in the middle of the register scale, making it versatile for almost any situation.
While 'remarkable' itself isn't always part of a fixed idiom, it is used in several common expressions. 1. A remarkable feat: Used to describe an impressive achievement. 2. Remarkable recovery: Often used in health contexts to describe someone getting better quickly. 3. Remarkable resemblance: Used when two people look almost exactly alike. 4. Remarkable progress: Used to describe fast development in a project. 5. Remarkable clarity: Used to describe someone speaking or thinking very clearly.
Remarkable is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun (a remarkable story) or after a linking verb like 'is' or 'was' (The story was remarkable). It has four syllables: re-mark-a-ble. The stress is on the second syllable: re-MAR-ka-ble.
In British English, the 'r' at the end of the first syllable is often softer, whereas in American English, it is pronounced more clearly. It rhymes with words like parkable (if such a word existed!) or sounds similar to the rhythm of unshakable. It is a regular adjective, so it doesn't change form for plural nouns or gender.
Fun Fact
It comes from the idea of making a mark on something to remember it later.
Examples by Level
The dog is remarkable.
The dog is special.
Adjective after verb.
It is a remarkable day.
A very good day.
Adjective before noun.
He is a remarkable boy.
A special boy.
Adjective before noun.
That is a remarkable car.
A cool car.
Adjective before noun.
The cake is remarkable.
The cake tastes great.
Adjective after verb.
She has a remarkable smile.
A very nice smile.
Adjective before noun.
This is a remarkable book.
A very good book.
Adjective before noun.
The view is remarkable.
The view is beautiful.
Adjective after verb.
The team made a remarkable effort.
She has a remarkable talent for music.
It was a remarkable achievement for him.
The city has a remarkable history.
We saw a remarkable sunset tonight.
He is a man of remarkable courage.
The results were quite remarkable.
She gave a remarkable performance.
The doctor noted a remarkable improvement in his health.
It is remarkable how fast the children have grown.
The story has a remarkable ending.
She showed remarkable patience with the students.
The invention is a remarkable piece of engineering.
There was a remarkable silence in the room.
His memory is truly remarkable.
The weather was remarkable for this time of year.
The candidate displayed a remarkable ability to handle pressure.
It is remarkable that they finished the project so early.
The discovery is of remarkable significance to science.
She possesses a remarkable capacity for empathy.
The painting shows a remarkable attention to detail.
The change in policy was quite remarkable.
He wrote a remarkable essay on climate change.
The resemblance between the two brothers is remarkable.
The data reveals a remarkable correlation between diet and mood.
It is a remarkable feat of endurance to run that far.
The author's prose has a remarkable fluidity.
The politician made a remarkable recovery in the polls.
The architect created a remarkable balance of light and space.
Her career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable.
The film is a remarkable exploration of human nature.
The decision was a remarkable departure from tradition.
The scholar provided a remarkable synthesis of ancient and modern thought.
The resilience of the community in the face of disaster was truly remarkable.
His life story is a remarkable testament to the power of perseverance.
The symphony is a remarkable display of technical mastery.
The diplomat played a remarkable role in the peace negotiations.
The findings offer a remarkable insight into the evolution of the species.
The sheer scale of the project is quite remarkable.
The artist's vision is a remarkable blend of tradition and innovation.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"A remarkable turn of events"
A surprising change in a situation
In a remarkable turn of events, the underdog won.
neutral"Nothing short of remarkable"
Very impressive
Her recovery was nothing short of remarkable.
formal"Remarkable in its own right"
Impressive by itself
The small town is remarkable in its own right.
neutral"A remarkable feat"
An amazing accomplishment
Building that bridge was a remarkable feat.
neutral"Remarkably so"
To a high degree
He was quiet, and remarkably so.
formal"Remarkable to behold"
Amazing to look at
The view was truly remarkable to behold.
literaryEasily Confused
Both mean worth noticing
Notable is more formal/objective.
A notable achievement vs a remarkable sunset.
Same root
Remark is a verb/noun, remarkable is an adjective.
He made a remark about the remarkable car.
Both relate to seeing
Noticeable just means you can see it; remarkable means it's special.
A noticeable change vs a remarkable change.
Both mean very special
Extraordinary is slightly stronger.
An extraordinary event.
Sentence Patterns
It is remarkable that [clause]
It is remarkable that he won.
Subject + be + remarkable
The show was remarkable.
Remarkable + noun
A remarkable person.
Remarkable for + noun/gerund
He is remarkable for his speed.
Quite/Truly + remarkable
It was truly remarkable.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
While 'very' is okay, 'truly' or 'absolutely' sounds more natural with strong adjectives.
Usually, we use 'for' when describing the nature of the thing.
Use 'for being' to describe the quality.
The 'it is' structure is more standard.
Remarkable already implies 'good' or 'special', so adding 'good' is redundant.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'mark' on a wall that is glowing.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they want to show genuine surprise.
Cultural Insight
Used often in formal appreciation.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it before the noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'MAR' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'very remarkable'—use 'truly' instead.
Did You Know?
It comes from the French word for 'to note'.
Study Smart
Use it in your daily journal entries.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Re-mark-able: If you have to 're-mark' (write down again) something, it must be important!
Visual Association
A bright highlighter pen marking a line in a book.
Word Web
Challenge
Use the word 'remarkable' in a sentence today to describe something you saw.
Word Origin
French/Latin
Original meaning: To note or observe
Cultural Context
None, it is a positive word.
Commonly used in formal speeches, news reports, and academic writing.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- remarkable progress
- remarkable results
- remarkable effort
school
- remarkable student
- remarkable essay
- remarkable talent
travel
- remarkable view
- remarkable city
- remarkable history
social
- remarkable person
- remarkable story
- remarkable resemblance
Conversation Starters
"What is the most remarkable thing you have seen this week?"
"Can you describe a remarkable person you know?"
"Do you think it is easy to be remarkable?"
"What makes a piece of art remarkable to you?"
"Have you ever had a remarkable experience while traveling?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a remarkable moment in your life.
Describe a remarkable person who influenced you.
If you could do one remarkable thing, what would it be?
Why do you think some people are called remarkable?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually, yes, but it can be used for something surprisingly bad too.
Yes, it's great for describing talented people.
It is more specific and implies something is worth noting.
Re-MAR-ka-ble.
Yes, it is professional.
Remarkably.
Yes, very common.
No, it's an adjective.
Test Yourself
The sunset was ___.
Remarkable describes a positive, special event.
What does remarkable mean?
Remarkable means worth noticing or special.
Can you use 'remarkable' to describe a very boring day?
Remarkable is for things that stand out, not for boring things.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
The order is 'It was a remarkable day'.
Score: /5
Summary
Remarkable is the perfect word to describe something so special that it deserves to be remembered.
- Remarkable means worth noticing.
- It is a positive adjective.
- It comes from 'to note'.
- Use it to describe special things.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'mark' on a wall that is glowing.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they want to show genuine surprise.
Cultural Insight
Used often in formal appreciation.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it before the noun.
Related Content
See it in Videos
Learn it in Context
Related Grammar Rules
Pronunciation Guide
The 'r' is light and the 'a' is long.
The 'r' is stronger and clearer.
Common Errors
- Forgetting the 'r' in the middle
- Misplacing the stress
- Pronouncing the 'e' at the end too strongly
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The remarkable cat.
Linking verbs
The cat is remarkable.
Adverb modification
Truly remarkable.
