magnificent

[mag-nif-uh-suhnt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR magnificent ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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

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

Synonyms for magnificent

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR magnificent ON THESAURUS.COM

1. majestic, sumptuous, opulent; exquisite, sublime.

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.

Antonyms for magnificent

1. modest; poor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for magnificent

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

Examples from the Web for magnificent

Contemporary Examples of magnificent

Prince George and his parents are enjoying their first Christmas in their magnificent country home.
Prince George’s Christmas: Better Than Yours
Tom Sykes
December 24, 2014
You were thrilled to see this magnificent woman break out of this one horse town.
Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent?
David Yaffe
December 4, 2014
And, most of all, thank you federal, state, and local governments for magnificent public school systems.
Up to a Point: Thanks to the Biggest Turkey, Uncle Sam
P. J. O’Rourke
November 27, 2014
The magnificent Murray: Murray has been forgotten in Baltimore, but deserves to be remembered.
The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire
H.L. Mencken
October 4, 2014
When I asked what this train would cost, the magnificent Murray waved me away.
The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire
H.L. Mencken
October 4, 2014

Historical Examples of magnificent

If he should do so, the law would compel him to return her magnificent dowry.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
For the first six miles over most magnificent grassed country.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
Solomon, the Wise, decided to provide them with a magnificent home.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
To gaze at me the field-workers suspend the magnificent lethargy of their labors.
Ballads of a Bohemian
Robert W. Service
She was certainly, for one so young and so unprofessional, a magnificent reader.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden

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

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).