magniloquent

[mag-nil-uh-kwuh nt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR magniloquent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

speaking or expressed in a lofty or grandiose style; pompous; bombastic; boastful.

Origin of magniloquent

1650–60; back formation from Latin magniloquentia elevated language, equivalent to magniloqu(us) speaking grandly (magni- magni- + loqu(ī) to speak + -us adj. suffix) + -entia -ence

Related formsmag·nil·o·quence, nounmag·nil·o·quent·ly, adverb

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

Related Words for magniloquent

boastful, bombastic, flowery, grandiloquent, pompous, turgid

Examples from the Web for magniloquent

Contemporary Examples of magniloquent

He would be a terrifying presence: a magniloquent, more than slightly mad, extremely charming monster.
Remembering Gore Vidal: He Was a Mortal After All
Nathaniel Rich
August 1, 2012

Historical Examples of magniloquent

These last words were pronounced with an accent of the most magniloquent solemnity.
Arthur O'Leary
Charles James Lever
Rather a magniloquent term, perhaps, but what else am I to say?
Anna the Adventuress
E. Phillips Oppenheim
He has rather too magniloquent a style both of acting and singing, but is a very agreeable artist.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 4, July, 1851
Various
Which is rather what one ventured to surmise in print at the time, despite the magniloquent Russian communiqués.
The Red Battle Flyer
Capt. Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen
Then in magniloquent terms he discoursed about the meanness of making such a base concession.
Letters of John Calvin, Volume I (of 4)
Jules Bonnet

British Dictionary definitions for magniloquent

magniloquent

adjective

(of speech) lofty in style; grandiloquent

Derived Formsmagniloquence, nounmagniloquently, adverb

Word Origin for magniloquent

C17: from Latin magnus great + loquī to speak

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 magniloquent

adj.

1650s, a back-formation from magniloquence, or else from Latin magniloquentia "lofty style of language," from magniloquus "pompous in talk, vaunting, boastful," from comb. form of magnus "great" (see magnate) + -loquus "speaking," from loqui "to speak" (see locution).