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stunning

 - 6 dictionary results

stun⋅ning

  [stuhn-ing]
Use stunning in a Sentence
–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 + -ing 2

Related forms:
stun⋅ning⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. stupefying, numbing, dumbfounding, astounding.

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; ME stonen, stunen (v.) < OF estoner to shake, make resound; see astonish

Synonyms:
2, 3. See shock 1 . 4. stupefy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stunning
stun   (stŭn)   
tr.v.   stunned, stun·ning, stuns

  1. To daze or render senseless, by or as if by a blow.

  2. To overwhelm or daze with a loud noise.

  3. To stupefy, as with the emotional impact of an experience; astound. See Synonyms at daze.

n.  A blow or shock that stupefies.

[Middle English stonen, Old French estoner, from Vulgar Latin *extonāre : Latin ex-, ex- + Latin tonāre, to thunder; see (s)tenə- in Indo-European roots.]
stun·ning   (stŭn'ĭng)   
adj.  

  1. Causing or capable of causing emotional shock or loss of consciousness.

  2. Of a strikingly attractive appearance.

    1. Impressive: gave a stunning performance.

    2. Surprising: The President's final decision came with stunning suddenness.

stun'ning·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: stun
Pronunciation: 'st&n
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: stunned; stun·ning
: to make senseless, groggy,or dizzy by or as if by a blow
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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