staggering

«staggering» in Mova's school dictionary: Very surprising and shocking, because it is so large or… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 3 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

adjective (staggering); verb (-ing form of stagger)

meaning for a pupil

1) Very surprising and shocking, because it is so large or amazing. tree →

2) (verb) Walking unsteadily, almost falling. tree →

sense in the lessons

In news, science and maths talk, «a staggering number» means a hugely large number, like the staggering distance to the stars. In stories it can mean walking unsteadily. Phrases: «a staggering amount», «staggering success».

examples

• The cost of the new stadium is staggering. tree →
• A staggering million people watched the parade. tree →
• The view from the mountain top was staggering. tree →
• He came staggering out of the smoke. tree →
• The Sun is a staggering 150 million kilometres from Earth. tree →
• Her success was staggering for someone so young. tree →
• He wetted his lips to be ready, but Hook came staggering out, without his lantern. tree →

note

Adjective use is very common; the meaning is «amazing because so big». Similar: astonishing, astounding. In maths writing it gives feeling, not a number.

In the corpora

• Before they set off, the Rat climbs up into his hole and comes back staggering under a fat wicker picnic basket.
• Just then the shopper is back, staggering under a full basket, and soon the table is covered with good things.
• Thou hast made Thy people to see hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «staggering» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.