munificent

[ myoo-nif-uh-suhnt ]
See synonyms for: munificentmunificencemunificently on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. extremely liberal in giving; very generous.

  2. characterized by great generosity: a munificent bequest.

Origin of munificent

1
First recorded in 1565–75; back formation from munificence or from Latin mūnificentia “generosity, bountifulness,” equivalent to mūnific(us) “generous, bountiful” (muni-, combining form of mūnus “service, duty, gift” + -ficus -fic) + -entia -ence

synonym study For munificent

1. See generous.

Other words for munificent

Other words from munificent

  • mu·nif·i·cence, mu·nif·i·cent·ness, noun
  • mu·nif·i·cent·ly, adverb
  • un·mu·nif·i·cent, adjective
  • un·mu·nif·i·cent·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with munificent

Words Nearby munificent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use munificent in a sentence

  • If wine and oil are your quest, said he, you have but to tap the surface of the munificent earth.

    American Sketches | Charles Whibley
  • But these munificent donations looked forward to no other date than the anticipation of womanhood.

    Camilla | Fanny Burney
  • One of these is the Grosvenor Library, the munificent gift of one of Buffalo's pioneers.

    Ocean to Ocean on Horseback | Willard Glazier

British Dictionary definitions for munificent

munificent

/ (mjuːˈnɪfɪsənt) /


adjective
  1. (of a person) very generous; bountiful

  2. (of a gift) generous; liberal

Origin of munificent

1
C16: back formation from Latin mūnificentia liberality, from mūnificus, from mūnus gift + facere to make

Derived forms of munificent

  • munificence or munificentness, noun
  • munificently, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012