Wagnerian

American  

[vahg-neer-ee-uhn] / vɑgˈnɪər i ən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Richard Wagner or his works.

   Wagnerian grandeur; a Wagnerian soprano.

---

noun

1. Also Wagnerite a follower or admirer of the music or theories of Richard Wagner.

Wagnerian British  

/ vɑːɡˈnɪərɪən /

adjective

1. of or suggestive of the dramatic musical compositions of Richard Wagner, their massive scale, dramatic and emotional intensity, etc

2. denoting or relating to a singer who has a voice suitable for singing Wagner

3. of or relating to a big, powerful, or domineering woman

   a Wagnerian maiden

---

noun

1. a follower or disciple of the music or theories of Richard Wagner

Etymology

Origin of Wagnerian

First recorded in 1870–75; Wagner + -ian

Example Sentences

Full of thunderous strings and Wagnerian vocals, it starts off as an opera song, changes tempo three times, introduces a guest verse from Bjork and ends with an almighty rave breakdown.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

He “has mystical tendencies, no common sense, and a Wagnerian taste for heroics and death. He was born loaded with vanities and has developed megalomania as his final decoration.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

“That’s why I chose that orchestration that is very what I call ‘aerial,’ and Wagnerian, and kind of also Hollywood — which I never knew that I could do.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2024

Traditionally when Canada goes shopping for major military items like aircraft, the process turns into a Wagnerian opera of epic length and complexity.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2023

But what there is not is an echo of anything remotely Wagnerian.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall