stun·ning

[stuhn-ing]
adjective
1.
causing, capable of causing, or liable to cause astonishment, bewilderment, or a loss of consciousness or strength: a stunning blow.
2.
of striking beauty or excellence: What a stunning dress you're wearing!

Origin:
1660–70; stun + -ing2

stun·ning·ly, adverb


1. stupefying, numbing, dumbfounding, astounding.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

stun

[stuhn] verb, stunned, stun·ning, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to deprive of consciousness or strength by or as if by a blow, fall, etc.: The blow to his jaw stunned him for a moment.
2.
to astonish; astound; amaze: Her wit stunned the audience.
3.
to shock; overwhelm: The world was stunned by the attempted assassination.
4.
to daze or bewilder by noise.
noun
5.
the act of stunning.
6.
the condition of being stunned.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English stonen, stunen (v.) < Old French estoner to shake, make resound; see astonish

un·stunned, adjective


2, 3. See shock1. 4. stupefy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To stunning
00:10
Stunning is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Collins
World English Dictionary
stun (stʌn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb , stuns, stunning, stunned
1.  to render unconscious, as by a heavy blow or fall
2.  to shock or overwhelm
3.  to surprise or astound
 
n
4.  the state or effect of being stunned
 
[C13 stunen, from Old French estoner to daze, stupefy, from Vulgar Latin extonāre (unattested), from Latin ex-1 + tonāre to thunder]

stunning (ˈstʌnɪŋ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
informal very attractive, impressive, astonishing, etc
 
'stunningly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

stun
c.1300, "to daze or render unconscious" (from a blow, powerful emotion, etc.), probably aphetic of O.Fr. estoner "to stun" (see astonish). Stunning popularized for "splendid, excellent" c.1849.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

stunning

adj. Mind-bogglingly stupid. Usually used in sarcasm. "You want to code _what_ in ADA? That's a ... stunning idea!"
Example sentences
He selected a series of stunning shots of city lights at night and beautiful aurorae.
The level of gadgetry packed into vehicles these days is stunning, if not overwhelming.
The trends in scientific publishing are equally stunning, indicating exponential growth.
Stunning footage of giraffe framed by a beautiful sunset.
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