What does unbelievably mean?
Unbelievably is an adverb meaning “incredibly” or “to an astonishing degree.” It is used to emphasize qualities or outcomes that seem remarkable, extreme, or difficult to accept: a result may be unbelievably successful, a price may be unbelievably high, or an event may be unbelievably fortunate. The word also expresses incredulity, particularly in informal constructions such as “unbelievably, no one was injured.” Its intensifying effect is strong, so phrases like “unbelievably good” often function as emphatic praise rather than strict description. Although used in both British and American English, it is especially characteristic of conversational writing, journalism, and everyday speech. Unbelievably is formed from the adjective unbelievable and therefore carries the same sense of something extraordinary or almost impossible to believe.
adverbIn a way that is so striking, extreme, or unexpected that it seems impossible to believe; incredibly or amazingly.
- To an astonishing or extraordinary degree.
- In a way that causes disbelief or expresses incredulity.
"The small village produced an unbelievably successful festival that attracted visitors from across the country."
"She completed the course unbelievably quickly and qualified with the highest score."
"It was unbelievably cold when we reached the summit."
Unbelievably turns an already extraordinary idea into a dramatic exclamation: something is not merely good or fast, but astonishingly so.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unbelievably come from?
Unbelievably was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to unbelievable, an adjective based on believe. The verb believe and its relatives belong to the Germanic-language history of English, and the negative prefix un- gives the derived adjective its contrasting sense. Related English forms include believe, belief, believable, and unbelief.
Related word forms
How unbelievably is actually used
This word is common in informal speech and journalism, where it adds emphasis and emotional intensity. It is often hyperbolic, especially in expressions such as “unbelievably good” or “unbelievably expensive,” and can therefore sound less precise than “extremely.”
Easily confused with unbelievably
“Unbelievable” is normally an adjective describing something that seems impossible to believe, while “unbelievably” is an adverb modifying a verb or another adjective.