Reading Theme:
Incredible: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：astounding (incredible)
incredible
/ɪnˈkredəb(ə)l/
adj.
so good or impressive that it is hard to believe.
astounding
➕
/əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
adj.
Describes something of such exceptionally high quality, scale, or impressiveness that it seems almost too good to be true.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'in-' (not) + 'credibilis' (credible), meaning 'not believable'.
💡 Mnemonic
IN-CREDIBLE: so good it's NOT (in) believable (credible)!
📖 Example
The magician's final trick was absolutely incredible - he made the whole theater disappear for a moment.
The magician's final trick was absolutely astounding; he made the entire theater vanish momentarily.
🔗 Collocations
absolutely incredible – used for strong emphasis on the positive quality
incredible performance – an exceptionally skillful or impressive show or act
look incredible – to appear extremely attractive or impressive
🔄 Synonyms
amazing (adj.) – causing great surprise or wonder, very impressive
fantastic (adj.) – extraordinarily good or attractive
phenomenal (adj.) – very remarkable, extraordinarily good
🚫 Antonyms
ordinary (adj.) – with no special or distinctive features; normal
unimpressive (adj.) – not arousing admiration or respect
mediocre (adj.) – of only moderate quality; not very good
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'incredibilis'. The word evolved from its literal meaning 'unbelievable' to also describe something so amazing it defies belief, reflecting a common linguistic shift in hyperbole.
Meaning 2：unbelievable (incredible)
incredible
/ɪnˈkredəb(ə)l/
adj.
impossible or very difficult to believe; not believable.
unbelievable
➕
/ˌʌnbɪˈliːvəb(ə)l/
adj.
Describes something that is impossible or extremely difficult to accept as true or real.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Scientists found it incredible that a planet could have diamond rain, but the data was clear.
Scientists found it unbelievable that a planet could have diamond rain, but the data was conclusive.
🔗 Collocations
seem incredible – to appear too unlikely to be true
incredible story – an account of events that is difficult to accept as factual
find it incredible – to consider something very hard to believe
🔄 Synonyms
unbelievable (adj.) – not able to be believed; unlikely to be true
implausible (adj.) – seeming unreasonable or unlikely to be true
preposterous (adj.) – utterly absurd or ridiculous
🚫 Antonyms
believable (adj.) – able to be accepted as true or credible
plausible (adj.) – seeming reasonable or probable
credible (adj.) – able to be believed; convincing
🌱 Derivatives
incredibly (adv.) – to an extraordinary degree; extremely
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