splendor
Americannoun
-
brilliant or gorgeous appearance, coloring, etc.; magnificence.
the splendor of the palace.
- Antonyms:
- squalor
-
an instance or display of imposing pomp or grandeur.
the splendor of the coronation.
-
grandeur; glory; brilliant distinction.
the splendor of ancient Greek architecture.
-
great brightness; brilliant light or luster.
- Synonyms:
- refulgence, dazzle
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of splendor
1400–50; < Latin splendor, equivalent to splend ( ēre ) to shine + -or -or 1; replacing late Middle English splendure < Anglo-French < Latin, as above
Explanation
The noun splendor refers to something that is magnificent or grand. If your prom was held in a luxurious ballroom with elegant decor, you might note the splendor of the setting. The noun splendor has its roots in the Latin word splendere, which means bright. Splendid, splendiferous, and resplendent are all related adjectives used to describe grand, magnificent, and brilliant things. Splendor usually has the connotation of luxury or quality, as in "the splendor of Balmoral castle," or "the splendor of the view at the Grand Canyon."
Vocabulary lists containing splendor
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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.
It was cut and exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC in 2003 as part of a Splendor of Diamonds exhibit.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Appeared in the November 13, 2025, print edition as 'A Trove of Religious Splendor'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025
Giamatti previously visited Scotland in 2003 when the Edinburgh International Film Festival premiered his film American Splendor.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2024
California Splendor, whose products had been sold at Costco stores in Hawaii, Los Angeles and two San Diego business centers, said in a statement that hepatitis A had not been detected in its products.
From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2023
"And how if the Splendor Hyaline is at Cair Paravel before you?"
From "The Horse and His Boy" by C.S. Lewis
Definitions 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.
