glory

[glawr-ee]

noun

plural

glories 

1. very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown.

   to win glory on the field of battle.

   Synonyms: celebrity, eminence, fame
   Antonyms: obloquy, disgrace

2. something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride.

   a sonnet that is one of the glories of English poetry.

3. adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving.

   Give glory to God.

4. resplendent beauty or magnificence.

   the glory of autumn.

   Synonyms: effulgence, refulgence, brilliance

5. a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity.

6. a state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment, etc..

   She was in her glory when her horse won the Derby.

7. the splendor and bliss of heaven; heaven.

8. a ring, circle, or surrounding radiance of light represented about the head or the whole figure of a sacred person, as Christ or a saint; a halo, nimbus, or aureole.

9. anticorona.

verb (used without object)

gloried, glorying 

1. to exult with triumph; rejoice proudly (usually followed byin ).

   Their father gloried in their success.

2. Obsolete.,  to boast.

interjection

1. Also glory be Glory be to God (used to express surprise, elation, wonder, etc.).

glory

/ ˈɡlɔːrɪ /

noun

1. exaltation, praise, or honour, as that accorded by general consent

   the glory for the exploit went to the captain

2. something that brings or is worthy of praise (esp in the phrase crowning glory )

3. thanksgiving, adoration, or worship

   glory be to God

4. pomp; splendour

   the glory of the king's reign

5. radiant beauty; resplendence

   the glory of the sunset

6. the beauty and bliss of heaven

7. a state of extreme happiness or prosperity

8. another word for halo nimbus

verb

1. to triumph or exult

2. obsolete,  (intr) to brag

interjection

1. informal,  a mild interjection to express pleasure or surprise (often in the exclamatory phrase glory be! )

Other Word Forms

• gloryingly adverb
• self-glory noun
• self-glorying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glory¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French glorie, from Latin glōria

Word History and Origins

Origin of glory¹

C13: from Old French glorie, from Latin glōria, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. glory days / years, the time of greatest achievement, popularity, success, or the like.

   the glory days of radio.

2. go to glory, to die. Also go to one's glory.

see in one's glory.

Example Sentences

The Coliseum was as raucous as it’s been in several years, screaming with John Robinson strength and Pete Carroll power, sounding like the glory days again, and it made a difference.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the Eagles, who also hold a win over Corona Centennial, can certainly consider themselves as contenders for the league’s crown — and maybe even Division 1 glory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Will the alumni be satisfied with winning titles in Division 10, 9 or 8 after previous glory years in higher divisions?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In it, he explains how he was lured by the promise of glory and that he came to believe a direct route to paradise was to sacrifice his life fighting for "a pure Islamic society".

Read more on BBC

For Wigan Warriors, they can regain some glory having missed out on silverware so far in 2025, not least because of how impressive Saturday's opponents have been.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• celebrity 
• dignity 
• grandeur 
• greatness 
• honor 
• immortality 
• majesty 
• prestige 
• reputation 
• splendor 
• triumph