Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

splendor

[splen-der]
noun
  1. brilliant or gorgeous appearance, coloring, etc.; magnificence: the splendor of the palace.
  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.
  4. great brightness; brilliant light or luster.
Show More
verb (used with object)
  1. to make splendid by decorating lavishly; adorn.
Show More
verb (used without object)
  1. to move or proceed with splendor, grandeur, or pomp.
Show More
Also especially British, splen·dour.

Origin of splendor

1400–50; < Latin splendor, equivalent to splend(ēre) to shine + -or -or1; replacing late Middle English splendure < Anglo-French < Latin, as above
Related formssplen·dor·ous, splen·drous [splen-druhs] /ˈsplɛn drəs/, adjectiveout·splen·dor, verb (used with object)un·splen·dor·ous, adjectiveun·splen·dor·ous·ly, adverb
Can be confusedsplendid splendorous

Synonyms for splendor

1. show, dash. 3. fame, eminence, renown, celebrity. 4. dazzle, refulgence.

Antonyms for splendor

1. squalor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for splendour

Historical Examples of splendour

  • I said, that I should not be affected by the splendour of even a royal title.

    Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • I am, myself, as great an enemy to the luxury and splendour of the clergy as he can be.

    Joseph Andrews Vol. 1

    Henry Fielding

  • In our performance it was Mounet-Sully, in all the splendour of his talent, who played Hernani.

    My Double Life

    Sarah Bernhardt

  • The court of Versailles was at this time in all its splendour, if not in all its glory.

  • Enthusiasm bore him up—he was going to his death in all the splendour of his dream.

British Dictionary definitions for splendour

splendour

US splendor

noun
  1. the state or quality of being splendid
  2. sun in splendour heraldry a representation of the sun with rays and a human face
Show More
Derived Formssplendorous or splendrous (ˈsplɛndrəs), adjective
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 splendour

splendor

n.

mid-15c., from Middle French esplendour, from Latin splendor "brilliance," from splendere "be bright, shine" (see splendid).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper