mighty

American  

[mahy-tee] / ˈmaɪ ti /

adjective

mightier, mightiest

1. having, characterized by, or showing superior power or strength.

   mighty rulers.

   Synonyms:

   puissant, strong

   Antonyms:

   feeble

2. of great size; huge.

   a mighty oak.

   Synonyms:

   sizable, tremendous, enormous, immense

   Antonyms:

   small

3. great in amount, extent, degree, or importance; exceptional.

   a mighty accomplishment.

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adverb

1. Informal. very; extremely.

   I'm mighty pleased.

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. mighty persons collectively.

   the rich and the mighty.

mighty British  

/ ˈmaɪtɪ /

adjective

1. 1. having or indicating might; powerful or strong

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the mighty

2. very large; vast

3. very great in extent, importance, etc

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adverb

1. informal (intensifier)

   he was mighty tired

mighty Idioms  

1. see high and mighty.

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Usage

What does mighty mean? Mighty means extremely strong (as in a mighty warrior) or powerful (as in a mighty king). The noun might most commonly means great strength or power. People who are mighty in this way are sometimes referred to collectively as the mighty, in the same way that the rich is sometimes used, as in The rich and mighty hold all the power. The expression how the mighty have fallen is used to comment on a once powerful or popular person or thing that is now much less powerful or popular. Mighty can also mean of great size—especially big for its kind, as in a mighty oak.    Less commonly, mighty means of great importance, as in a mighty accomplishment. Sometimes, mighty is used as a very informal way of saying very or extremely, as in That’s a mighty fine hat you’re wearing. This use of mighty can sound a bit old-fashioned or folksy. The adverb form of mighty is mightily. The phrase high and mighty is often used as an adverb meaning in an arrogant or self-important manner, as in Please stop acting so high and mighty—you’re not the boss here. It can also be used as an adjective, in which case it’s often hyphenated (high-and-mighty). The phrase can also be used as a collective noun in the same way that mighty can, as in The high and mighty take too much and give too little. Example: He was a mighty ruler, and his empire extended to the ends of the earth.

Synonym Usage

See powerful.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• mightiness
  noun
• quasi-mighty
  adjective
• overmighty
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mighty

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English mihtig; see might ², -y ¹

Explanation

Something that's mighty is large and powerful. Mighty Mouse is no ordinary mouse; he's a superhero. It's best not to mess with anyone with mighty in their name. A mighty beast in a fairy tale is ferocious and intimidating, and a mighty power in the business world exerts great influence. Colloquially, you can also use mighty to emphasize something, or to mean "extremely." This informal use is especially common in the U.S. South, where a host might say, "We're mighty glad to have you!" Mighty comes from the Old English root mæht, "strength or power."

Example Sentences

So naturally, I’m indulging in all my favorite recipes — and finding new ways to incorporate the small yet mighty superfood into my everyday meals.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

In Northern Ireland, the dance community is small but very mighty.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“Before we ever proclaimed our independence, Americans carried within us the rarest of gifts — moral courage — and it came from a small but mighty kingdom from across the sea.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The S&P 500 eked out a 0.1% gain today and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%—small but mighty gains considering both indexes closed at record highs.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Then he slapped his mighty belly, holding his pizzas aloft as if he were carrying the Super Bowl trophy.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• enormous
• huge
• imposing
• large
• magnificent
• massive
• towering