Today, we’re going to write about the word “amazing“. We will talk about its origin, its etymological roots. We will visualize the various meanings of the word, its impact on people, and the changes it has undergone throughout history, which is full of astonishing changes regarding the use of the word. The word “amazing” originates from Old English (circa 1200s “amasod” which means “confound, overwhelm, or confuse with sudden wonder“. According to various etymological sources, the sense of the word “amazing” was a negative one (dreadful, foolish, stupefying) circa 1500s, however, it changed to a more positive meaning (wonderful, instigating) around 1700s. Therefore, the influence the word “amazing” had on people centuries ago was quite different from the influence it exerts today.
Please, read the two quotations, one from Conan O’Brian and the latter from Michael Arlen. And decide what they may signify. (1) “Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” (2) “It is amazing how nice people are to you when they know you’re going away.”
The word “amazing” may mean “surprising“, “unexpected“, or “schocking” (as in “His exam results were amazing; I didn’t expect him to do so well.“); and it may also mean “inspiring”, “extraordinary” or “impressive” (as in “He was an amazing man who led an amazing life.“),
The verb form of the word “amazing” is “amaze”. Other forms are as follows: amazement, amazingness, amazedness (noun); amazingly, amazedly (adverb); amazing, amazed (adjective).
Here are som examples for you:
- I find it amazing that you can’t play any musical instruments.
- The opening of the short story is amazing.
- It’s amazing how many people are afraid of mice.
- That amazing people achieve amazing things should not amaze us at all.
- Amazement awaits us at every corner. (James Broughton)