What does remarkable mean?
Remarkable describes someone or something that attracts attention because it is unusual, exceptional, or particularly noteworthy. The word is often used to praise an achievement, ability, performance, discovery, or personal quality: a remarkable recovery, a remarkable teacher, or a remarkable turn in the weather. It can also refer to something conspicuously different or striking, even when the word does not imply approval. In ordinary usage, remarkable is stronger than merely noticeable and commonly carries a sense of distinction, impressiveness, or importance. Its effect depends on context: describing an event as remarkable suggests that it deserves special attention, while describing a visual feature as remarkable may simply mean that it is strikingly unusual. Because it conveys both distinction and attention, remarkable is especially useful when something is not only different but genuinely stands out.
adjectiveDescribing someone or something that attracts attention because of unusual qualities, exceptional importance, or outstanding qualities. It can also mean strikingly noticeable or different.
- Attracting attention because of unusual, exceptional, or outstanding qualities.
- So striking or noticeable that it stands out from ordinary things.
"The researchers made a remarkable discovery that changed how the disease was understood."
"The young musician displayed a remarkable ability to perform under pressure."
"There was a remarkable contrast between the calm morning and the sudden afternoon storm."
Remarkable began as a combination of remark and -able, turning the idea of attracting attention into a word for anything genuinely worthy of notice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remarkable come from?
Remarkable developed in the early 17th century from remark plus the suffix -able. Remark comes through Old French from Latin marcare, meaning to mark or delineate, ultimately connected with the same Indo-European root found in English mark and related words such as margin and demarcate. The formation remarkable therefore originally expressed the idea of being worthy of notice or comment.
Related word forms
How remarkable is actually used
Remarkable is usually positive or approving, though it can emphasize unusualness rather than excellence. It is common in formal writing, journalism, education, and everyday speech, with no major regional difference.
Easily confused with remarkable
Remarkable is an adjective, while remarkably is an adverb: a remarkable achievement is an exceptional achievement, and it was achieved remarkably well.