astound
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To overwhelm with amazement, shock, or wonder; to stun profoundly.
To cause someone to be unable to react due to extreme surprise, often implying that something is hard to believe or exceeds expectations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a degree of shock or overwhelming effect stronger than 'surprise' but slightly less intense than 'stagger' or 'stupefy'. Often used for positive achievements or negative revelations that defy belief.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The adjective form 'astounded' is more common than 'astounding' in spoken British English, but both forms are standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of profound surprise.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written than spoken English in both regions. No notable frequency disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] astound [Sb] (transitive)[Sb] be astounded (that) clause[Sb] be astounded by [sth][Sb] be astounded at [sth][Sb] be astounded to [do sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; the word itself carries idiomatic force]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe market reactions or extraordinary financial results, e.g., 'The company's quarterly profits astounded analysts.'
Academic
Used to describe groundbreaking research findings or historical revelations, e.g., 'The archaeological discovery astounded the scientific community.'
Everyday
Used for personal reactions to surprising news, feats, or behaviour, e.g., 'I was astounded by her generosity.'
Technical
Rare. Might be used in specific contexts like physics or computing to describe counter-intuitive results.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The final twist in the film will astound you.
- Her lack of preparation astounded the entire committee.
American English
- His recovery astounded the doctors.
- The sheer size of the crowd astounded the organisers.
adverb
British English
- [Note: 'astoundedly' is extremely rare and unnatural. Use a phrase like 'in an astounded manner' instead.]
American English
- [Note: 'astoundingly' is the adverbial form of the adjective 'astounding', e.g., 'The plan was astoundingly simple.']
adjective
British English
- He had an astounded look on his face.
- The audience was left astounded by the virtuoso performance.
American English
- I was truly astounded by the positive response.
- She wore an astounded expression when she heard the verdict.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The magician's trick astounded the children.
- We were astounded to receive an invitation to the royal event.
- The low price of the car astounded everyone.
- The resilience of the community in the face of disaster astounded observers worldwide.
- He was astounded by the sheer audacity of their proposal.
- The tribunal was astounded by the defendant's blatant disregard for protocol.
- Her ability to synthesise complex data from disparate fields never failed to astound her colleagues.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A STOUND feels like a mental 'pounding' (sound) of surprise so strong it stuns you. 'Astound' rhymes with 'around' — imagine turning around to see something so amazing it stuns you.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURPRISE IS A PHYSICAL BLOW/FORCE (e.g., 'bowled over', 'knocked for six', 'hit by the news').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'astonish' in translation; Russian 'поражать' covers both, but 'astound' is stronger. Avoid using 'удивить' for 'astound' as it is too weak.
- Not related to the Russian word 'астон' (a type of fabric).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I was astounding by the view.' (Correct: 'I was astounded by the view.')
- Incorrect: 'It's an astound story.' (Correct: 'It's an astounding story.')
- Overuse in contexts where 'surprise' is sufficient.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'astound' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a well-known word but is used less frequently in casual conversation than 'surprise' or 'amaze'. It belongs to a more formal or emphatic register.
All share a core meaning. 'Amaze' suggests bewildered wonder. 'Astonish' implies momentary shock or disbelief. 'Astound' suggests a more profound, overwhelming shock that can stun or paralyse with surprise.
Yes, it is often used for positive surprises, such as astounding beauty, talent, or success. However, it can also be used for negative shocks, e.g., 'astounded by his cruelty'.
'Astounded' describes the person feeling surprise ('I was astounded'). 'Astounding' describes the thing causing the surprise ('an astounding discovery').