splendor

American  

[splen-der] / ˈsplɛn dər /

especially British, splendour

noun

splendors plural

1. brilliant or gorgeous appearance, coloring, etc.; magnificence.

   the splendor of the palace.

   Synonyms:

   dash, show

   Antonyms:

   squalor

2. an instance or display of imposing pomp or grandeur.

   the splendor of the coronation.

3. grandeur; glory; brilliant distinction.

   the splendor of ancient Greek architecture.

   Synonyms:

   celebrity, renown, eminence, fame

4. great brightness; brilliant light or luster.

   Synonyms:

   refulgence, dazzle

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verb (used with object)

1. to make splendid by decorating lavishly; adorn.

verb (used without object)

1. to move or proceed with splendor, grandeur, or pomp.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• outsplendor
  verb (used with object)
• splendorous
  adjective
• splendrous
  adjective
• unsplendorous
  adjective
• unsplendorously
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• splendors
  plural

Etymology

Origin of splendor

1400–50; < Latin splendor, equivalent to splend ( ēre ) to shine + -or -or ¹; replacing late Middle English splendure < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Explanation

The noun splendor refers to something that is magnificent or grand. If your prom was held in a luxurious ballroom with elegant decor, you might note the splendor of the setting. The noun splendor has its roots in the Latin word splendere, which means bright. Splendid, splendiferous, and resplendent are all related adjectives used to describe grand, magnificent, and brilliant things. Splendor usually has the connotation of luxury or quality, as in "the splendor of Balmoral castle," or "the splendor of the view at the Grand Canyon."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

splendor splendors

His account on Friday night of Mr. Salonen’s five-movement clarinet concerto “Kinēma” was an alchemic blend of technical acumen and tonal splendor in one of the composer’s most immediately enjoyable works.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

As if these athletes are somehow the pinnacle of military splendor.

From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026

It brought the bootstrapping fantasy of this rising family, a few generations removed from the toiling class, into Britain’s living rooms with the right blend of serious theatricality and soapy splendor.

From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2026

But in Pedretti’s new “Forbidden Fruits,” a horror-comedy directed by Meredith Alloway making her feature debut and produced by “Jennifer’s Body” screenwriter Diablo Cody, the actor shines in all-new soapy splendor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026

“I want you to try channeling the splendor again,” said Badwa.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Mr. Gennari, who grew up in Lenox—a little too late for the splendors of Music Inn, except as a point of community pride—is perfectly equipped to tell this tale.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

"Goodly splendors await upon your victory. Love, Mr. Milchick."

From Salon ● Mar. 22, 2025

But in his wake, he leaves behind a trail of splendors — and this movie, even for its flaws, is one of them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2024

Seldom, perhaps, can so bright and pleasant a day be provided at a time when so many people seemed to have the ability to enjoy it and its associated natural splendors.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2022

August arrived with a deepening of all the summertime splendors of New Hampshire.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• brilliance
• grandeur
• luster
• magnificence
• majesty
• pomp
• richness