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What is the Meaning of “Beautiful”?

Beautiful
/ˈbjuːtɪfl/
adjective A1 Tier 4 (Top 10,000 words)

Something that looks very attractive and pleasant to see.

Definition of Beautiful

Quick Meaning of Beautiful

Something that looks very attractive and pleasant to see.

Detailed Definition of Beautiful

pleasing to the eye; attractive and aesthetically good-looking

How to Pronounce Beautiful

IPA: /ˈbjuːtɪfl/
beau ti ful

Stress pattern: Ooo (3-syllable word).

Tip: Two syllables with stress on the first: BEW-ti-ful. The 'eau' sounds like 'oo'.

Watch out: Mispronounced as two syllables (BUTE-ful) instead of three; the middle syllable should not be dropped.

Full pronunciation guide for “beautiful” →

Origin and Etymology of Beautiful

From Old French beau (handsome) + -iful suffix meaning full of.

How to Use Beautiful in a Sentence

Each example shows “beautiful” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.

  • “The sunset over the ocean was absolutely beautiful.”
    A1 daily
  • “She wore a beautiful dress to the wedding.”
    A1 daily
  • “The garden with its flowers is a beautiful sight.”
    A2 daily

Synonyms and Antonyms of Beautiful

Common Synonyms for Beautiful

Smart Synonyms for Beautiful — When to Use Each

gorgeous
when emphasizing stunning visual impact
lovely
for warm emotional appeal in addition to looks

Antonyms of Beautiful

See all synonyms for “beautiful” →

Common Collocations with Beautiful

These phrases pair with “beautiful” in everyday English:

  • beautiful day
  • beautiful view
  • beautiful weather

Common Mistakes When Using Beautiful

Even fluent speakers slip up with “beautiful”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:

✗ Wrong: The landscape was very very beautiful.
✓ Correct: The landscape was absolutely beautiful.
Why: Avoid repetition; use intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'truly' instead.
✗ Wrong: She has a beautiful face and beautiful hands.
✓ Correct: She has a beautiful face and hands.
Why: Avoid repetition of the adjective; apply once to parallel nouns.

Other Forms of Beautiful

Frequently Asked Questions About Beautiful

What is the meaning of "Beautiful"?

Something that looks very attractive and pleasant to see.

How do you pronounce "Beautiful"?

The IPA is /ˈbjuːtɪfl/. Two syllables with stress on the first: BEW-ti-ful. The 'eau' sounds like 'oo'.

What part of speech is "Beautiful"?

"Beautiful" is an adjective at A1 level (Common European Framework).

What are synonyms for "Beautiful"?

Common synonyms include attractive, lovely, pretty.

How do you use "Beautiful" in a sentence?

For example: "The sunset over the ocean was absolutely beautiful."

Explore Beautiful in Other Tools