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definitions

magnificent

[mag-nif-uh-suhnt]
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

striking, imposing, lavish, grandiose, stately, outstanding, superb, sumptuous, grand, noble, palatial, gorgeous, opulent, excellent, towering, splendid, impressive, elegant, brilliant, sublime

Nearby words

  1. magni-,
  2. magnific,
  3. magnificat,
  4. magnification,
  5. magnificence,
  6. magnificently,
  7. magnifico,
  8. magnifier,
  9. magnify,
  10. magnifying glass

Origin of magnificent

1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French < Latin magnificent- (stem recorded in comparative, superlative, and other forms) for magnificus. See magnific, -ent
ANTONYMS FOR magnificent
1. modest; poor.
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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

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for magnificent

magnificent

adj.

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