resplendent
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of resplendent
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin resplendent- (stem of resplendēns ), present participle of resplendēre “to shine brightly,” equivalent to re- re- + splend(ēre) “shine” ( see splendor) + -ent- -ent
Explanation
Someone or something that is resplendent has great beauty and is a pleasure to behold. "She was there, at the base of the stairs, resplendent in her flowing gown and jewels." When people or things are resplendent, they are dazzling, splendiferous, glorious, or lovely. The adjective resplendent comes from a Latin word that means “to shine brightly.” The gilded entranceway was resplendent in the golden glow of the afternoon light. When he flashed his resplendent smile, she was helpless against his charms.
Vocabulary lists containing resplendent
An "August" Assortment: Words Worthy of Honor
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
More Positive Words to Describe a Person
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
All Aglow: Light Lingo
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All these years later the story is still one of my favorites – as resplendent as it was the first time, and more necessary than ever.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
The glittering gold ground of the Modrone is richly textured with detailed tooling, a resplendent setting for the colorful figures that command our attention.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
The feature had aimed "to create a sumptuous and resplendent atmosphere", the hotel's parent company said in a filing Wednesday.
From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026
Decked out in a resplendent orange-and-blue-striped zoot suit symbolizing the colors of his beloved New York Knicks, Spike Lee hit the Cannes Film Festival’s red carpet in May in full boogie mode.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025
Nighthand was resplendent in a thick dark blue jacket.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
