towering

/ˈtaʊərɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈaʊɚɪŋ] /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈaʊɚɪŋ] /ˈtau̇(-ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce towering (audio)/ (ame, mw)

towering — adjective

  • toweringpositive
  • more toweringcomparative
  • most toweringsuperlative

1. much higher than everything around it, so that the height is impressive or even

1.形容詞B2
釋義

much higher than everything around it, so that the height is impressive or even a little frightening to look at

例句

From the beach, we could see the towering cliffs rising behind the old lighthouse.

attributive use: towering + noun of landscape

The towering skyscraper cast a long shadow across the park every afternoon.

同義詞
  • lofty

    more literary; can describe both physical height and abstract ideals

  • soaring

    suggests upward movement; often used for buildings or birds in flight

  • imposing

    focuses on the effect of grandeur or awe on the observer

反義詞
  • low

    opposite in physical height

  • stumpy

    informal; describes something short and thick in shape

文法句型

towering + noun

用法筆記

Unlike most English adjectives, 'towering' is almost always used immediately before the noun it describes. You would say 'the towering cliffs' but not 'the cliffs are towering' in standard usage — use the verb 'tower' instead: 'the cliffs tower above the bay'.

常見錯誤

❌The mountain is towering above the valley.
✅The mountain towers above the valley.
💡'towering' is normally used before a noun; after a linking verb, use the verb 'tower' instead.

2. extremely great in strength, degree, or quality — used to describe emotions, ach

2.形容詞B2
釋義

extremely great in strength, degree, or quality — used to describe emotions, achievements, and ambitions that go far beyond what is ordinary

例句

Yuna's towering achievement was winning the national science prize at just sixteen.

collocation: towering achievement

Faisal struggled to control his towering rage after hearing the false accusation.

collocation: towering rage

同義詞
  • immense

    neutral in register; can apply to size or degree

  • overwhelming

    suggests something so strong it is hard to resist or manage

  • prodigious

    formal; emphasises how remarkably great something is

反義詞
  • slight

    very small in degree or amount

  • minor

    not important or serious

文法句型

towering + noun

用法筆記

This sense pairs with a limited set of abstract nouns: 'rage', 'ambition', 'pride', 'achievement', 'success', 'effort'. It is not used with ordinary emotions ('happiness', 'sadness', 'surprise') or with adjectives ('towering happy' is incorrect).

常見錯誤

❌He felt a towering happy feeling after the news.
✅He felt a towering sense of pride after the news.
💡'towering' modifies nouns like 'rage', 'ambition', or 'pride', not standalone adjectives.