magnanimous
Americanadjective
-
generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness.
to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.
- Synonyms:
- kindly, charitable, big
-
high-minded; noble.
a just and magnanimous ruler.
-
proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc..
a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.
adjective
Related Words
See noble.
Other Word Forms
- magnanimously adverb
- magnanimousness noun
- unmagnanimous adjective
- unmagnanimously adverb
- unmagnanimousness noun
Etymology
Origin of magnanimous
First recorded in 1540–60; from Latin magnanimus “great-souled,” equivalent to magn(us) “great” + anim(us) “spirit, soul, mind” + -us adjective suffix; magn-, -ous
Explanation
A magnanimous person has a generous spirit. Letting your little sister have the last of the cookies, even though you hadn't eaten since breakfast, would be considered a magnanimous act. Magnanimous comes from Latin magnus "great" and animus "soul," so it literally describes someone who is big-hearted. A person can show that over-sized spirit by being noble or brave, or by easily forgiving others and not showing resentment. It implies superiority, and is something you should say of others rather than of yourself. Being magnanimous doesn't require doling out tons of cash — just being an understanding and tolerant soul will do the trick.
Vocabulary lists containing magnanimous
The Great Gatsby
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
'Tis The Season: Words For Giving
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Speak Your Mind: Anim
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Napoleon could not have expected such magnanimous treatment from the British.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
The ugliness of the comment prompted Rick Wilson—former Republican strategist, he of the magnanimous Lincoln Project—to step forward.
From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026
Guardiola was probably being magnanimous due to his side's disappointing performance in the derby loss at Old Trafford.
From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026
When she returned for Season 3, she was slightly more magnanimous and less flighty, trying her best to achieve harmony with the rest of the cast.
From Salon • May 20, 2025
Through him speaks a shrewd and magnanimous people, a people who have woven together into one wisdom a profound, old, terrible, and unimaginably various experience of life.'
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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.
