"Incredible" vs. "wonderful": the subtleties of awe and delight

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 09/10/2024, 03:39

English.me team member

Incredible and wonderful. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "incredible" and "wonderful" are adjectives used to express strong positive reactions to something. They can describe experiences, events, or things that are impressive or cause admiration.

What is different?

The word "incredible" often implies that something is so extraordinary it is hard to believe or beyond belief, while "wonderful" suggests that something is delightful or full of wonder, without the implication of disbelief.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Incredible

The magician's performance was incredible and left the audience speechless.
She had an incredible story about her travels in Africa.

Wonderful

The weather today is absolutely wonderful, perfect for a picnic.
His kind gesture was a wonderful surprise.