Adjectives

An adjective modifies or describes a noun. The central adjectives describe size, shape, colour, worth and age. Most adjectives are gradable (e.g., big, bigger, more interesting, most interesting). Adjectives can usually be modified by an adverb.

Adverbs

An adverb is a kind of word that generally modifies verbs and other words (but not nouns). Adverbs usually describe and give more information about a verb, adjective, phrase or another adverb.

Phrasal Verbs

A verb combined with an adverb or a preposition, or sometimes both.

Verbs

A content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence. Verbs almost always come after a noun or pronoun.

adjective

Baffled

Perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements.
Filled with bewilderment.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • at sixes and sevens
  • blind someone with science
  • do somebody’s head in
  • buffaloed by (informal)
  • ill at ease
  • knock somebody for a loop
  • muddy the waters
  • went to one’s head
  • all at sea
  • throw somebody a curve ball
  • throw somebody off balance
  • tie somebody in knots

Sentence Examples

Clark was completely baffled by these two strangers.

I was worried and baffled about many things at the moment.

William was baffled and frightened.

adjective

Awestruck

Having or showing a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder and dread.
Filled or overcome with awe or wonder.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • bowled over
  • hero worship
  • struck dumb
  • give somebody their due
  • fall to your knees
  • bowled over
  • in honour of something
  • think highly of somebody
  • someone deserves a medal
  • to give the devil his due
  • tug at your forelock
  • cover yourself with glory
  • make an impression on somebody
  • put somebody on a pedestal
  • sit at the feet of somebody
  • pay your respects

Sentence Examples

They paused on the threshold and gazed awestruck.

But judging by the awestruck expression on Marielle’s face, there was no joking involved.

I was awestruck by the life he’d made while we were apart.

adjective

Awed

Inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence.
Having or showing a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder and dread.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • hero worship
  • give somebody their due
  • fall to your knees
  • in honour of something
  • be awed or amazed by
  • think highly of somebody
  • wonder at
  • someone deserves a medal
  • to give the devil his due
  • tug at your forelock
  • be agog or astonished at
  • cover yourself with glory
  • make an impression on somebody
  • know your place
  • put somebody on a pedestal
  • sit at the feet of somebody
  • pay your respects

Sentence Examples

William was still awed by Bismarck’s authority and flattered by the attention paid to him by the Chancellor.

Somehow, my moves have awed them.

She was awed by the silence.

adjective

Astounded

Surprised, amazed, astonished or bewildered.
Filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • bowled over
  • knocked out
  • not believe your luck
  • not believe your eyes
  • thrown for a loss
  • not know what hit you
  • as though you’ve seen a ghost
  • knocked for a loop
  • be like a rabbit caught in the headlights
  • almost have a heart attack
  • not believe your ears
  • knock over with feather
  • your eyes pop out of your head
  • leap out of your skin
  • eyes out on stalks
  • be struck dumb

Sentence Examples

My sister is absolutely astounded that you would find her accent odd.

The phenomenon has absolutely astounded us!

He looked astounded, eyebrows shooting up.

adjective

Astonished

Filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock.
Confounded with surprise or wonder.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • not believe your luck
  • not believe your eyes
  • bowl over
  • knocked for a loop
  • not know what hit you
  • take away one’s breath
  • as though you’ve seen a ghost
  • be like a rabbit caught in the headlights
  • almost have a heart attack
  • strike with wonder
  • not believe your ears
  • throw off one’s guard
  • took by surprise
  • your eyes pop out of your head
  • leap out of your skin
  • eyes out on stalks
  • be struck dumb

Sentence Examples

I stood enthralled, astonished by the vastness and majesty of the cathedral.

When I told him what had happened he was quite astonished and not one hundred per cent pleased.

His father and mother were astonished at these things that were being said about him.

adjective

Appalled

Struck with fear, dread, or consternation.
Shocked by something unpleasant.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • have palpitations
  • in a frenzy
  • not believe your luck
  • besides oneself with fear
  • not believe your eyes
  • not know what hit you
  • as though you’ve seen a ghost
  • frightened out of one’s wits
  • be like a rabbit caught in the headlights
  • almost have a heart attack
  • not believe your ears
  • horror of horrors
  • knocked for a loop
  • in a cold sweat
  • your eyes pop out of your head
  • leap out of your skin
  • eyes out on stalks
  • be struck dumb

Sentence Examples

The swift change in his behavior appalled her, the harsh breaking of any sort of connection between them.

She walked among her friends and was appalled at what she saw.

She was appalled by the situation; appalled by her inability to manage it; appalled by her loss of control.

adjective

Amazed

Astonished; confounded with fear, surprise, or wonder.
Filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • out of breath
  • have palpitations
  • not believe your luck
  • bowled over
  • not believe your eyes
  • as though you’ve seen a ghost
  • knocked for six
  • be like a rabbit caught in the headlights
  • almost have a heart attack
  • knocked for a loop
  • not believe your ears
  • your eyes pop out of your head
  • leap out of your skin
  • eyes out on stalks
  • be struck dumb
  • not know what hit you

Sentence Examples

She too was amazed at how well Oliver was doing.

One thing that amazed us the most was that our teachers told us that we would probably be the youngest people there.

Quite honestly I’m amazed you’ve made it this far.

adjective

Aghast

Struck with fear dread, or consternation.
Showing signs of terror or horror.

Sentence Examples

Idioms

  • grow pale
  • have palpitations
  • look blue
  • out of one’s reckoning
  • not believe your eyes
  • look blank
  • not know what hit you
  • in a cold sweat
  • as though you’ve seen a ghost
  • frightened to death
  • be like a rabbit caught in the headlights
  • almost have a heart attack
  • pale as ashes
  • not believe your ears
  • not dare to say one’s soul is one’s own
  • horror of horrors
  • your eyes pop out of your head
  • besides oneself with fear or terror
  • leap out of your skin
  • eyes out on stalks
  • be struck dumb

Sentence Examples

Stunned, Marc watched aghast as flames engulfed the wooden ball.

For a moment we stood aghast, and gazed at this horrifying sight.

Wordly was aghast the other day when she saw her dog run through the house covered in mud.

adjective

Agape

With the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe.
In a state of astonishment, wonder, expectation, or eager attention.

Synonyms

Idioms

  • with mouth agape
  • not believe your luck
  • have palpitations
  • not believe your eyes
  • not know what hit you
  • all agog
  • as though you’ve seen a ghost
  • be like a rabbit caught in the headlights
  • on tenterhooks
  • almost have a heart attack
  • not believe your ears
  • on the tiptoe of expectation
  • your eyes pop out of your head
  • leap out of your skin
  • eyes out on stalks
  • be struck dumb

Sentence Examples

The witty bird tilted his head, and cawed a few times, keeping his mouth agape after the last caw, with his wings outstretched.

I stood in awe of the man and am certain that my mouth was agape during his talk.

Every one was agape with astonishment again.