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.

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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

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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

See Examples For:

Wagnerian

John Williams’ gloriously Wagnerian soundtracks helped launch the never-ending “Star Wars” sagas.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

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

Woodwinds at the top of Act II are practically Wagnerian in their extravagant stateliness.

From New York Times ● May 6, 2024

Whoever wants to understand National Socialist Germany must know Wagner,’ Hitler once said, and much of the propaganda surrounding him depicted him as a Wagnerian hero.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall