Fantastic vs. Awesome: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on October 3, 2023
"Fantastic" describes something imaginative or fanciful; "awesome" denotes something that inspires awe or admiration.
Difference Between Fantastic and Awesome
"Fantastic" and "awesome" are both adjectives that communicate high praise, but they stem from different roots and nuances. "Fantastic" originates from the realm of fantasy. It describes things that seem to be only from imagination, often emphasizing the extraordinary or unreal. For instance, a tale of dragons and wizards could be described as a fantastic story.
Muazma Batool
Oct 03, 2023
On the other hand, "awesome" is rooted in the emotion of awe. When something is described as "awesome," it is often seen as grand, impressive, or inspiring admiration. Nature often evokes this term – for example, the sight of a vast canyon or a starlit sky might be termed awesome due to its sheer scale and beauty.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
In modern slang, both terms have evolved to become synonyms for "excellent" or "great." Here, the nuances may blur, with both "fantastic" and "awesome" being used interchangeably to describe something very good. For example, "That concert was fantastic!" or "That concert was awesome!" both convey positive feelings about the event.
Muazma Batool
Oct 03, 2023
However, despite this colloquial overlap, the two words still retain their distinct flavors in many contexts. While "fantastic" might still hint at something extraordinary in an almost fictional sense, "awesome" leans more towards grandeur and reverence.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
In everyday speech, the choice between the two often comes down to personal preference or regional usage. Still, understanding their unique etymologies can enrich their application and interpretation.
Jonathan
Oct 03, 2023
Fantastic vs. Awesome Comparison Chart
Emphasis
Often on the fanciful or exaggerated.
On the scale, grandness, or inspiration of awe.
Lucas
Oct 03, 2023
Fantastic vs. Awesome Definitions
◉Fantastic
Based on fantasy, not real.
The movie had fantastic creatures that don't exist in reality.
Muazma Batool
Sep 15, 2023
◉Awesome
Inspiring great admiration or fear.
The power of nature is truly awesome.
Muazma Batool
Sep 15, 2023
◉Fantastic
Highly fanciful or unrealistic.
It's fantastic to think that pigs might fly.
Jonathan
Sep 15, 2023
◉Awesome
Expressing awe or astonishment.
The universe's vastness is simply awesome.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
◉Fantastic
Extraordinarily good or attractive.
She did a fantastic job on that project.
Olivia
Sep 15, 2023
◉Fantastic
Very large or extreme.
He made a fantastic amount of money from that deal.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
◉Fantastic
Based on or existing only in fantasy; unreal
fantastic mythological creatures.
the fantastic realms of science fiction.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Strange or fanciful in form, conception, or appearance
“The fire assumed fantastic shapes as he watched” (Ward Just).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
(Slang) Remarkable; outstanding
"a totally awesome arcade game" (Los Angeles Times).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Unrealistic; irrational
“the early jubilant years of the Restoration with their fantastic hopes of a Golden Age and incorruptible power” (Janet Todd).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
(dated) Causing awe or terror; inspiring wonder or excitement.
The waterfall in the middle of the rainforest was an awesome sight.
The tsunami was awesome in its destructive power.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Exceedingly great in size or degree; extravagant
a fantastic sum of money.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
(colloquial) Excellent, exciting, remarkable.
That was awesome!
Awesome, dude!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
(slang) nodot=a: the quality, state, or essence of being awesome.
pure awesome
made of awesome
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Existing in or constructed from fantasy; of or relating to fantasy; fanciful.
He told fantastic stories of dragons and goblins.
His fantastic post-college plans had all collapsed within a year of graduation.
She had a fantastic view of her own importance that none of her colleagues shared.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
Expressive of awe or terror.
An awesome glance up at the auld castle.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Not believable; implausible; seemingly only possible in fantasy.
The events were so fantastic that only the tabloids were willing to print them.
She entered the lab and stood gaping for a good ten minutes at the fantastic machinery at work all around her.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
inspiring awe or admiration or wonder;
New York is an amazing city
the Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring sight
the awesome complexity of the universe
this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath
Westminster Hall's awing majesty, so vast, so high, so silent
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Resembling fantasies in irregularity, caprice, or eccentricity; irregular; grotesque.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Awesome
Slang for impressive or daunting.
She's got some awesome skills in coding.
Jonathan
Sep 15, 2023
◉Fantastic
Wonderful; marvelous; excellent; extraordinarily good or great (used especially as an intensifier).
"I had a simply fantastic vacation, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!"
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Existing only in imagination; fanciful; imaginary; not real; chimerical.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Indulging the vagaries of imagination; whimsical; full of absurd fancies; capricious; as, fantastic minds; a fantastic mistress.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
Resembling fantasies in irregularity, caprice, or eccentricity; irregular; oddly shaped; grotesque.
There at the foot of yonder nodding beech,That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
A person given to fantastic dress, manners, etc.; an eccentric person; a fop.
Our fantastics, who, having a fine watch, take all ocasions to draw it out to be seen.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
ludicrously odd;
Hamlet's assumed antic disposition
fantastic Halloween costumes
a grotesque reflection in the mirror
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
extraordinarily good; used especially as intensifiers;
a fantastic trip to the Orient
the film was fantastic!
a howling success
a marvelous collection of rare books
had a rattling conversation about politics
a tremendous achievement
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
extravagantly fanciful and unrealistic; foolish;
a fantastic idea of his own importance
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
existing in fancy only;
fantastic figures with bulbous heads the circumference of a bushel
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Fantastic
exceedingly or unbelievably great;
the bomb did fantastic damage
Samson is supposed to have had fantastic strength
phenomenal feats of memory
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
Fantastic vs. Awesome Frequently Asked Questions
Is fantastic always a positive adjective?
Generally, but it can also describe something unreal or exaggerated.
Muazma Batool
Oct 03, 2023
Can I use fantastic and awesome interchangeably?
In many contexts, yes, especially in casual speech, but they do have unique nuances.
Muazma Batool
Oct 03, 2023
Which word has a stronger impact?
Subjective; "awesome" may imply grandeur, while "fantastic" suggests extraordinary.
Kaitlyn
Oct 03, 2023
Does awesome always mean something is good?
Mostly, but it can also describe something grand or imposing, not necessarily positive.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
How do I decide which word to use?
Consider the nuance you want: "fantastic" for extraordinary, "awesome" for grand or inspiring.
Henry
Oct 03, 2023
Can fantastic describe something real?
Yes, especially when emphasizing its extraordinary nature.
Henry
Oct 03, 2023
Is awesome a modern slang term?
While used as slang, it's an old word describing something that inspires awe.
William
Oct 03, 2023
Can I use fantastic for something grand in scale?
Yes, but "awesome" might be more fitting for grandeur.
Henry
Oct 03, 2023
Would you describe nature as fantastic?
It can be, especially if emphasizing its extraordinary beauty, but "awesome" might be more apt for its scale and grandeur.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Do all cultures use these words similarly?
Usage can vary, but in American English, both are often positive and can be interchangeable in casual contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
