Use dazzling when brightness overwhelms the eyes, not for light that is merely clear or pleasant.
Use dazzling when brightness overwhelms the eyes, not for light that is merely clear or pleasant.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The dazzling desk lamp helped me read. | The bright desk lamp helped me read. |
| The room was dazzling after I opened the curtains. | The room was bright after I opened the curtains. |
| The dazzling screen was easy on my eyes. | The bright screen was easy on my eyes. |
| A dazzling night made the road hard to see. | Dazzling headlights made the road hard to see. |
Use dazzling for a display, person, idea, or performance whose brilliance feels exceptional.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The soup was dazzling because it tasted fresh. | The soup was delicious because it tasted fresh. |
| The report was dazzling and included all the figures. | The report was thorough and included all the figures. |
| He wore a dazzling plain black coat. | He wore a stylish plain black coat. |
| The meeting was dazzling because it ended on time. | The meeting was efficient because it ended on time. |
Use dazzling as a verb form when something is actively blinding, charming, or impressing someone.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The headlights dazzling me on the road. | The headlights are dazzling me on the road. |
| Her speech dazzling the judges last night. | Her speech dazzled the judges last night. |
| The jewelry was dazzling to the guests. | The jewelry was dazzling the guests. |
| The team is dazzling the match. | The team is dazzling the crowd. |
Choose the physical sense for light that overwhelms vision, the figurative sense for exceptional beauty or skill, and the verb form when something is doing the overwhelming.
Dazzling is stronger than bright or good, so it sounds wrong for ordinary light, simple usefulness, or mild approval.
From the verb dazzle, recorded in the late fifteenth century and formed from Middle English dasen, the source of daze. The light sense developed by the sixteenth century, followed by the figurative sense of overwhelming admiration.
What does dazzling mean?
Dazzling means either intensely bright, or exceptionally impressive, beautiful, or skillful.
Can dazzling describe light?
Yes. Dazzling light is strong enough to make seeing difficult for a short time.
Can dazzling describe a person or performance?
Yes. A dazzling smile, dress, performance, or display strongly attracts admiration.
Is dazzling stronger than bright?
Yes. Bright can be pleasant or ordinary, while dazzling suggests overwhelming brilliance.
Is dazzling a verb?
It can be the present participle of dazzle, as in The lights are dazzling drivers.
What are synonyms of dazzling?
Useful synonyms include blinding, brilliant, stunning, spectacular, and radiant, depending on the sense.
What are antonyms of dazzling?
For light, antonyms include dim, dull, and faint. For impressiveness, plain, ordinary, and unimpressive fit.
Where does dazzling come from?
Dazzling comes from dazzle, a verb related to Middle English dasen, the source of daze.
How is dazzling used in a sentence?
A natural sentence is The dazzling performance earned a long standing ovation.