incredible

USAGE SUMMARY

"incredible" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is too extraordinary to be believed or something that is of exceptional quality. Example: "My grandmother's cooking is simply incredible; I've never tasted anything like it!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rob's an incredible singer technically, incredibly loud, and incredibly good melodically.

The Guardian - Music

"This is incredible.

The New York Times

"That is incredible.

The Guardian - Music

"My contention is if the digital revolution was going to kill papers, it would have already done so, but I think the world is coming to understand the incredible duty that a paper performs in its society.

The Guardian

The minister added that mining billionaire Andrew Forrest's review into Indigenous disadvantage was an "incredible document" but the government wasn't ready to implement its most contentious proposal – that all Australians receiving welfare should have their spending managed by government.

The Guardian

As for fundamentalist Christian grievances with the school system – perceived as godless and unfriendly to their evangelical cause – Boston pointed out the "incredible mission field" that would be America's public school students.

The Guardian

Incredible that they're even thinking about changing standing orders to limit voting rights of some MPs".

The Guardian

It's been such an honor to work at the White House and I will always be grateful for this incredible opportunity".

The Guardian

"How short is the short-short?" Alexander, who came to fame as a runway coach and judge on the television show America's Next Top Model and coached the likes of supermodel Naomi Campbell, is known for showing off his own incredible set of legs.

The Guardian - Opinion

But standing here, surrounded by this vast, incredible landscape, the sheer force of its existence slaps you in the face.

The Guardian - Travel

Still, we've had an incredible year and as the finish line approaches in a few weeks time I find myself looking back to that day of the interview, pondering the impact that Soas has had along the way and wondering if my dream would ever have taken flight had that day gone differently.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incredible" to describe something truly exceptional or difficult to believe, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "incredible" to describe ordinary experiences. Reserve it for genuinely extraordinary or remarkable situations to prevent diluting its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incredible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is either too extraordinary to be believed or exceptionally good, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "incredible" functions as an adjective to denote something either extraordinarily good or difficult to believe. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various written contexts. It is most frequently found in "News & Media", highlighting its role in conveying strong impressions. When aiming for alternatives, consider options such as "amazing" or "extraordinary" to maintain a similar impact. Remember to reserve "incredible" for genuinely exceptional instances to preserve its effect and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbelievable

Similar in meaning but often used to express disbelief.

amazing

A common synonym that emphasizes astonishment and wonder.

astonishing

Highlights the surprising and remarkable nature.

extraordinary

Suggests something beyond the ordinary.

remarkable

Emphasizes the worthiness of being noticed.

astounding

Implies a great sense of shock and amazement.

unthinkable

Highlights how challenging it is to imagine or consider.

awesome

Informal, expresses great admiration and approval.

fabulous

Indicates something delightful and highly pleasing.

implausible

Focuses on the difficulty of believing something is true.

FAQs

How can I use "incredible" in a sentence?

You can use "incredible" to describe something amazing or hard to believe. For example, "The magician performed an incredible feat of illusion."

What's a good synonym for "incredible"?

Alternatives to "incredible" include "amazing", "extraordinary", or "unbelievable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "incredibly" good?

Yes, using "incredibly" as an adverb to modify an adjective like "good" is grammatically correct. For instance, "The food was incredibly delicious."

What is the difference between "incredible" and "credulous"?

"Incredible" means difficult to believe, while "credulous" describes someone who is easily convinced. They have opposite meanings. "That story is incredible" means it's hard to believe, whereas "He is credulous" means he believes everything he hears.