Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words (original) (raw)
magnificent
adjective
- making a splendid appearance or show; of exceptional beauty, size, etc.:
a magnificent cathedral; magnificent scenery.
Synonyms: sublime, exquisite, opulent, sumptuous, majestic
Antonyms: poor, modest - extraordinarily fine; superb:
a magnificent opportunity; magnificent weather. - a magnificent poem.
- (usually initial capital letter) (formerly used as a title of some rulers) great; grand:
Lorenzo the Magnificent. - lavishly munificent; extravagant:
a magnificent inheritance.
/ mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt /
adjective
- splendid or impressive in appearance
- (esp of ideas) noble or elevated
- archaic.
great or exalted in rank or action
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Derived Forms
- magˈnificentness, noun
- magˈnificently, adverb
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Other Words From
- mag·nifi·cent·ly adverb
- mag·nifi·cent·ness noun
- super·mag·nifi·cent adjective
- super·mag·nifi·cent·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of magnificent1
First recorded in
1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin magnificent-, stem of magnificentior “grander,” comparative of magnificus magnific
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Word History and Origins
Origin of magnificent1
C16: from Latin magnificentio more splendid; irregular comparative of magnificus great in deeds; see
magnific
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Synonym Study
Magnificent,
gorgeous,
splendid,
superb
are terms of high admiration and all are used informally in weak exaggeration. Something that is
magnificent
is beautiful, princely, grand, or ostentatious:
a magnificent display of paintings; a magnificent view of the harbor.
That which is
gorgeous
moves one to admiration by the richness and (often colorful) variety of its effects:
a gorgeous array of handsome gifts.
That which is
splendid
is dazzling or impressive in its brilliance, radiance, or excellence:
splendid jewels; a splendid body of scholars.
That which is
superb
is above others in, or is of the highest degree of, excellence, elegance, or (less often, today) grandeur:
a superb concert; superb wines.
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Example Sentences
Gavin - whose tunnel-digging was described at the Old Bailey as "a magnificent piece of engineering" - Tucker and Stephen all pleaded guilty to entering the bank as a trespasser, stealing cash and jewellery and possessing explosives.
“Retreat” is a film of few words and magnificent images, where the drama unfolds suggestively in hints and gestures, and in the pensive performances of Heiniger and Hottinger.
The large cast contains so many magnificent voices that I would love to report in detail about the performers who in “Four Black Dragons” vividly chronicle the growing military menace.
Mr Davidson described the deal as a "magnificent order" and said the factory was "acting as a catalyst for economic growth and green jobs across the region".
They were relentless in their physicality, the game turning into a magnificent frenzy.