stunner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal
Quick answer
What does “stunner” mean?
An extremely attractive or impressive person or thing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extremely attractive or impressive person or thing.
Something that causes astonishment or shock; a surprising event or piece of news.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, but the informal register is slightly more established in British English for the 'attractive person' sense.
Connotations
Generally positive for attractiveness; can be neutral or negative for the 'shock' sense (e.g., a stunner of a defeat).
Frequency
Moderately common in both varieties. The 'shock' sense may be slightly more prevalent in American journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “stunner” in a Sentence
[be] a stunner[verb: call/consider] someone a stunner[verb: pull off/deliver] a stunnerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stunner” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb for 'stunner')
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb for 'stunner')
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb for 'stunner')
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb for 'stunner')
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as an adjective for 'stunner')
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective for 'stunner')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in marketing: 'The new design is a real stunner.'
Academic
Very rare, except in informal speech.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation to describe attractive people or surprising events.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stunner”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stunner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stunner”
- Using it in formal writing. Incorrect: *'She was a stunner applicant.' Correct: 'She was a stunning applicant.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though it is more frequently used for women. It is perfectly acceptable: 'He's a real stunner.'
It can be reductive if used to objectify someone, focusing only on appearance. Context and tone matter.
'Stunner' is a noun for a person/thing. 'Stunning' is an adjective meaning extremely impressive or attractive.
Yes, but it's less common than the 'attractive person' sense. It's often found in journalism or dramatic narration.
An extremely attractive or impressive person or thing.
Stunner is usually informal in register.
Stunner: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstʌnə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstʌnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drop a stunner (announce shocking news)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of being STUNNED by someone's beauty – they are a STUNNER.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTRACTIVENESS/IMPACT IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (related to 'stun').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stunner' LEAST appropriate?