stunning
UK: ˈstʌnɪŋ | US: ˈstʌnɪŋ
adj. extremely impressive or attractive
adj. causing astonishment or disbelief
vt. (present participle of stun) rendering someone unconscious or dazed
The word stunning derives from the verb stun, which originated in Middle English (stunen), meaning "to daze or knock unconscious." The root stun likely traces back to Old French estoner (to astonish), from Latin extonare (to thunderstrike). The suffix -ing turns it into an adjective, emphasizing the effect of being struck with awe or shock. Over time, stunning evolved to describe overwhelming beauty or impact, retaining its core idea of leaving someone breathless—whether physically or emotionally.
The view from the mountaintop was absolutely stunning.
She wore a stunning red dress to the gala.
The boxer delivered a stunning blow to his opponent.
The news of their victory left everyone stunned.
The artist’s latest work is a stunning masterpiece.