magisterial
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or befitting a master; of importance or consequence; authoritative; weighty.
a magisterial pronouncement by the director of the board.
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imperious; domineering.
a magisterial tone of command.
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of or befitting a magistrate or the office of a magistrate.
The judge spoke with magisterial gravity.
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of the rank of a magistrate.
magisterial standing.
adjective
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commanding; authoritative
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domineering; dictatorial
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of or relating to a teacher or person of similar status
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of or relating to a magistrate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of magisterial
First recorded in 1625–35; from Late Latin magisteriālis “pertaining to a teacher or magistrate” (equivalent to Latin magister “magistrate, teacher, master” + -ālis ); see origin at master, -al 1
Explanation
A person who is magisterial can be distinguished and grand, or possibly just conceited and bossy. You will learn a lot if you listen to a magisterial presentation of early American history. The Latin word for teacher is magister, so think of magisterial as describing a person with the great authority of a teacher or learned person. It can also mean related to the office of magistrate — think of magisterial documents or inquiries into a matter. If, however, someone calls you magisterial, he or she may think you are a bit pompous. It will irritate you if a person speaks to you in a magisterial tone!
Vocabulary lists containing magisterial
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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.
She immediately comes off as a magisterial diagnostician and adept leader with bold plans to modernize the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency care experience.
From Salon ● Jan. 8, 2026
It’s a magisterial ode to Americana, zeroing in on our foundational constitutional saga.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
Former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi last year produced a magisterial analysis of Europe’s investment and productivity problems.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
“Sunday,” the culminating hymn of “Sunday in the Park With George,” closes Act 1 to magisterial effect.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 14, 2025
Here is Harry Hansen’s view, from his magisterial history, The Civil War:
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
