magnificent
[ mag-nif-uh-suhnt ]
/ mægˈnɪf ə sənt /
adjective
making a splendid appearance or show; of exceptional beauty, size, etc.: a magnificent cathedral; magnificent scenery.
extraordinarily fine; superb: a magnificent opportunity; magnificent weather.
noble; sublime: a magnificent poem.
(usually initial capital letter) (formerly used as a title of some rulers) great; grand: Lorenzo the Magnificent.
lavishly munificent; extravagant: a magnificent inheritance.
Nearby words
magni-, magnific, magnificat, magnification, magnificence, magnificent, magnificently, magnifico, magnifier, magnify, magnifying glass
Origin of magnificent
SYNONYMS FOR magnificent
Related formsmag·nif·i·cent·ly, adverbmag·nif·i·cent·ness, nounsu·per·mag·nif·i·cent, adjectivesu·per·mag·nif·i·cent·ly, adverb
Can be confusedmagnificent munificent
Synonym study
1. Magnificent, gorgeous, splendid, superb are terms of high admiration and all are used informally in weak exaggeration. Something that is magnificent is beautiful, princely, grand, or ostentatious: a magnificent display of paintings; a magnificent view of the harbor. That which is gorgeous moves one to admiration by the richness and (often colorful) variety of its effects: a gorgeous array of handsome gifts. That which is splendid is dazzling or impressive in its brilliance, radiance, or excellence: splendid jewels; a splendid body of scholars. That which is superb is above others in, or is of the highest degree of, excellence, elegance, or (less often, today) grandeur: a superb concert; superb wines.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for magnificent
British Dictionary definitions for magnificent
magnificent
/ (mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt) /
adjective
splendid or impressive in appearance
superb or very fine
(esp of ideas) noble or elevated
archaic great or exalted in rank or action
Derived Formsmagnificently, adverbmagnificentness, noun
Word Origin for magnificent
C16: from Latin magnificentio more splendid; irregular comparative of magnificus great in deeds; see magnific
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for magnificent
magnificent
mid-15c., from Old French magnificent, a back-formation from Latin magnificentior, comparative of magnificus "great, elevated, noble, distinguished," literally "doing great deeds" (see magnificence).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper