magnanimity

American  

[mag-nuh-nim-i-tee] / ˌmæg nəˈnɪm ɪ ti /

noun

plural

magnanimities

1. the quality of being magnanimous.

2. a magnanimous act.

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magnanimity British  

/ ˌmæɡnəˈnɪmɪtɪ /

noun

1. generosity

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Etymology

Origin of magnanimity

1300–50; Middle English magnanimite < Latin magnanimitās. See magnanimous, -ity

Explanation

Magnanimous behavior is noble, generous, or unselfish, and to exhibit magnanimity is to be this way. He showed great magnanimity in not pressing charges when I drove his car into the pond. "Accidents happen my friend," he said, and patted me on the back. In Latin, magnus means "great": a magnate is a great man; a magnum is a great big bottle of champagne. Magnanimity is the generous greatness of spirit. When you are being the bigger person, you are behaving with magnanimity. "The supermodel grabbed the magnum of champagne, lifted it to her mouth and drained the bottle. With great magnanimity, her host smiled and offered her another."

Example Sentences

By contrast, Starmer's been the model of magnanimity - offering Sarwar his "100%" support.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

For all the rest of us, now is not the time for magnanimity.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2024

Yagman, whose past victories included establishing that lawyers cannot be sanctioned for making disparaging comments about their judges, showed uncharacteristic magnanimity in defeat.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2024

“For years, A.Q.’s lavish lifestyle and tales of his wealth, properties, corrupt practices and financial magnanimity at state expense were generally all too well known in Islamabad’s social and government circles,” Musharraf later wrote.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 4, 2023

The truculence went out of the boy and a magnanimity took its place.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck