mighty

[mahy-tee]

adjective

mightier, mightiest 

1. having, characterized by, or showing superior power or strength.

   mighty rulers.

   Synonyms: puissant, strong
   Antonyms: feeble

2. of great size; huge.

   a mighty oak.

   Synonyms: sizable, tremendous, enormous, immense
   Antonyms: small

3. great in amount, extent, degree, or importance; exceptional.

   a mighty accomplishment.

adverb

1. Informal.,  very; extremely.

   I'm mighty pleased.

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. mighty persons collectively.

   the rich and the mighty.

mighty

/ ˈmaɪtɪ /

adjective

1. 1. having or indicating might; powerful or strong

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the mighty

2. very large; vast

3. very great in extent, importance, etc

adverb

1. informal,  (intensifier)

   he was mighty tired

Other Word Forms

• mightiness noun
• overmighty adjective
• quasi-mighty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mighty¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English mihtig; might ², -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see high and mighty.

Synonym Study

See powerful.

Example Sentences

The first group contains an exquisite 1897 Klimt portrait, titled “Woman With Fur Collar,” that Barron described as “small but mighty.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He announced his retirement last month, effective at the end of the season, even as he is still mighty effective.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All bullpen issues aside, after brushing aside the Reds, the Dodgers are looking mighty formidable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is now approaching three decades since the pair wreaked havoc for Newcastle against the mighty Barcelona.

Read more on BBC

Year in, year out we're challenging for this trophy and to get over the line is mighty special.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• enormous 
• huge 
• imposing 
• large 
• magnificent 
• massive 
• towering 

When To Use

What does mighty mean?

Mighty means extremely strong (as in a mighty warrior) or powerful (as in a mighty king).The noun might most commonly means great strength or power. People who are mighty in this way are sometimes referred to collectively as the mighty, in the same way that the rich is sometimes used, as in The rich and mighty hold all the power. The expression how the mighty have fallen is used to comment on a once powerful or popular person or thing that is now much less powerful or popular.Mighty can also mean of great size—especially big for its kind, as in a mighty oak.    Less commonly, mighty means of great importance, as in a mighty accomplishment.Sometimes, mighty is used as a very informal way of saying very or extremely, as in That’s a mighty fine hat you’re wearing. This use of mighty can sound a bit old-fashioned or folksy.The adverb form of mighty is mightily.The phrase high and mighty is often used as an adverb meaning in an arrogant or self-important manner, as in Please stop acting so high and mighty—you’re not the boss here. It can also be used as an adjective, in which case it’s often hyphenated (high-and-mighty). The phrase can also be used as a collective noun in the same way that mighty can, as in The high and mighty take too much and give too little. Example: He was a mighty ruler, and his empire extended to the ends of the earth.