magnificent

[mag-nif-uh-suhnt]

adjective

1. making a splendid appearance or show; of exceptional beauty, size, etc..

   a magnificent cathedral; magnificent scenery.

   Synonyms: sublime, exquisite, opulent, sumptuous, majestic
   Antonyms: poor, modest

2. extraordinarily fine; superb.

   a magnificent opportunity; magnificent weather.

3. noble; sublime.

   a magnificent poem.

4. (usually initial capital letter),  (formerly used as a title of some rulers) great; grand.

   Lorenzo the Magnificent.

5. lavishly munificent; extravagant.

   a magnificent inheritance.

magnificent

/ mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt /

adjective

1. splendid or impressive in appearance

2. superb or very fine

3. (esp of ideas) noble or elevated

4. archaic,  great or exalted in rank or action

Other Word Forms

• magnificently adverb
• magnificentness noun
• supermagnificent adjective
• supermagnificently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnificent¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin magnificent-, stem of magnificentior “grander,” comparative of magnificus magnific

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnificent¹

C16: from Latin magnificentio more splendid; irregular comparative of magnificus great in deeds; see _magnific

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Beneath the magnificent frescoes of the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo spoke in Italian to praise the power of cinema to entertain and to educate – and for its "capacity to amaze".

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The magnificent buildings of the financial sector are still there—but the talents who moved never came back.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I used to dream of this becoming this magnificent Central Park of Los Angeles, where it could make connections between these neighborhoods,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It had disappeared, that DNA disappeared and since Mikel came in, he has done a magnificent job of changing the culture.

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The Celtic interim manager cut an exasperated figure on the sidelines in Denmark as he watched a magnificent Midtjylland teach the Scottish champions a lesson.

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Related Words

• brilliant 
• elegant 
• excellent 
• glittering www.thesaurus.com
• gorgeous 
• grand 
• grandiose 
• imposing 
• impressive 
• lavish 
• lofty 
• noble 
• opulent 
• outstanding 
• palatial 
• splendid 
• stately 
• striking 
• sublime 
• sumptuous