spectacular
Americanadjective
-
of or like a spectacle; marked by or given to an impressive, large-scale display.
-
dramatically daring or thrilling.
a spectacular dive from a cliff.
- Synonyms:
- breathtaking, dramatic, hair-raising
noun
-
a single television production featuring well-known performers and characterized by elaborate sets, costumes, staging, etc.
-
an impressive, large-scale display.
another Hollywood spectacular.
adjective
-
of or resembling a spectacle; impressive, grand, or dramatic
-
unusually marked or great
a spectacular increase in spending
noun
Other Word Forms
- nonspectacular adjective
- nonspectacularly adverb
- spectacularism noun
- spectacularity noun
- spectacularly adverb
- unspectacular adjective
- unspectacularly adverb
Etymology
Origin of spectacular
First recorded in 1675–85; from Latin spectācul(um) ( spectacle ) + -ar 1
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.
Avatar ended up grossing an estimated $88 million in the U.S. and Canada over opening weekend, a solid but not spectacular showing, according to Disney.
While some cities might limit their offering to a single location, Zagreb Advent is a multi-venue spectacular that takes over large chunks of the centre.
From BBC
Rogers scored both of Villa's goals - including a spectacular strike to open the scoring - as the 23-year-old produced an eye-catching display.
From BBC
Villa have not won a major trophy since lifting the League Cup in 1996 but, sitting third in both the Premier League and Europa League, their drought could come to an end in spectacular style.
From BBC
It’s tiny and they just opened a few years ago, but the vibe there is spectacular.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
