spectacular
Americanadjective
-
of or like a spectacle; marked by or given to an impressive, large-scale display.
-
dramatically daring or thrilling.
a spectacular dive from a cliff.
- Synonyms:
- breathtaking, dramatic, hair-raising
noun
-
spectaculars
plural
-
a single television production featuring well-known performers and characterized by elaborate sets, costumes, staging, etc.
-
an impressive, large-scale display.
another Hollywood spectacular.
adjective
-
of or resembling a spectacle; impressive, grand, or dramatic
-
unusually marked or great
a spectacular increase in spending
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
spectacularismnoun
-
spectacularitynoun
-
nonspectacularadjective
-
unspectacularadjective
-
nonspectacularlyadverb
-
spectacularlyadverb
-
unspectacularlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of spectacular
First recorded in 1675–85; from Latin spectācul(um) ( see spectacle) + -ar 1
Explanation
Spectacular is both a noun and an adjective. The noun spectacular refers to a big, beautiful production, like a play or musical performance that has a huge cast and many dance numbers. As an adjective, spectacular has the same quality of being over-the-top, like a spectacular restaurant with excellent food, celebrities at all the table and a gigantic waterfall along one wall. If something is spectacular, it seems like a rare feat, a real stop-and-stare moment. That's why it can also be associated with drama, or making a spectacle or scene, like a spectacular argument you witness out on the street.
Vocabulary lists containing spectacular
"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia, List 1
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Workshop 3, Part 2
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Wow! Synonyms for "Amazing"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Halloween costume inspiration can arise from anywhere but one spectacular, often-overlooked source is right here in our trusty home of Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
The biggest myth is that somehow it doesn’t really matter when you buy stocks, because over time they will always produce spectacular returns.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
For the most spectacular fall foliage, many travelers think first of New England.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
The resulting disturbances produced spectacular auroras, commonly known as the northern lights, that appeared as far south as Hawaii and Central America.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2026
It would have to be something so spectacular that he would change his mind about forcing them to move.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
The documents describe how once inside the resort guests will experience "adrenaline-pumping coasters", "mind-blowing spectaculars" and will "come face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains".
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2025
Phranc changed her sound and hosted folk spectaculars at the Whisky, performing “Take Off Your Swastika” acoustic in the style of the lesbian and radical folk singers who inspired her before punk.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2023
The expansion of the best picture race to 10 nominees has made room for all sorts of previously snubbed movies, from Marvel spectaculars to Pixar tentpoles.
From New York Times ● Sep. 15, 2022
In recent years, White was beloved by a generation of people who’ve never experienced broadcast television — or experienced it only through one-off spectaculars such the Super Bowl.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 1, 2022
Inside, there were just about the same number of last-minute panics and snafus as at most 3-D spectaculars.
From Telempathy by Vance Simonds
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
