literally breathtaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "literally breathtaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that has greatly impressed you, and you want to emphasize the intensity of your response. For example, "The view from the mountaintop was literally breathtaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The result is – literally – breathtaking.

Independent

Our reviewer, Shirley Hazzard, called Hofstadter's observations "literally breathtaking lyrical in the Neapolitan tradition".

The New York Times

"We walked in," he said, "and the views to the east, south and west were just literally breathtaking.

The New York Times

We started with Urbania, 10 miles from Urbino on a literally breathtaking road of hairpin turns and drop-dead views.

The New York Times - Travel

Driving Italy's sinuous Amalfi Coast road is marvelously scenic and many miles longer, but the Stelvio, with its high altitude, is quite literally breathtaking.

The New York Times

It's literally breathtaking, and often you are left thinking, this is something, this is really something.' · The Plot Against America is published by Jonathan Cape on 7 October.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The climb to the acropolis summit is literally and figuratively breathtaking.

The New York Times - Science

Literally, she was breathtaking.

Huffington Post

The major contenders, the fight for the jerseys, the breathtaking (literally) climbs, the nail biting finishes and the penultimate circuit around the Champs-Élysées.

HuffPost

This is a slow moving, intense, and moving tale whose last 30 seconds of breathtaking (literally!) ambiguity I am still thinking about.

Huffington Post

But the pacing, the mood and the attention to detail are breathtaking, sometimes literally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "literally breathtaking" to emphasize a strong emotional or sensory reaction to something visually stunning or impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "literally breathtaking" when you mean figuratively. "Literally" implies that something actually caused a physical inability to breathe, which is rarely the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literally breathtaking" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe something that is extremely impressive or beautiful. Ludwig examples show its common usage in describing scenery, performances, and experiences. The phrase intensifies the adjective "breathtaking".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "literally breathtaking" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express strong admiration or awe. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and aims to convey a powerful emotional or sensory response to something exceptionally impressive or beautiful. While the word "literally" is often debated in terms of misuse, here it reinforces a genuine sense of astonishment. Alternatives like "absolutely stunning" or "truly astonishing" can be used for less literal implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positively breathtaking

This alternative omits the word "literally", relying on the understood meaning.

simply stunning

Uses "simply" as an intensifier instead of "literally".

absolutely stunning

Emphasizes beauty and impressiveness, moving away from the literal interpretation.

truly astonishing

Highlights the surprise and amazement caused by something.

genuinely remarkable

Focuses on the exceptional and noteworthy nature of something.

utterly magnificent

Stresses the grandeur and splendor of something.

completely awe-inspiring

Highlights the feeling of reverence and wonder.

incredibly impressive

Focuses on the skill or quality that evokes admiration.

exceptionally beautiful

Directly states the aesthetic appeal.

remarkably striking

Emphasizes the attention-grabbing or memorable nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "literally breathtaking" in a sentence?

You can use "literally breathtaking" to describe a scene, view, or performance that is exceptionally impressive. For example, "The sunset over the mountains was "literally breathtaking"."

What's a less literal alternative to "literally breathtaking"?

If you want to avoid the literal implication, consider using phrases like "absolutely stunning", "truly astonishing", or "incredibly impressive".

Is it correct to use "literally" to intensify "breathtaking"?

While some find it redundant, using "literally" to emphasize "breathtaking" is common. However, ensure the context aligns with a genuine sense of awe. Other valid alternatives are "positively breathtaking" and "simply stunning".

What does it mean when something is described as "literally breathtaking"?

When something is described as "literally breathtaking", it means it's so impressive or beautiful that it evokes a strong emotional response, as if it could actually take your breath away.