Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words (original) (raw)

munificent

adjective

1. extremely liberal in giving; very generous.
   Synonyms: lavish, bounteous, bountiful
2. characterized by great generosity:
   a munificent bequest.

/ mjuːˈnɪfɪsənt /

adjective

1. (of a person) very generous; bountiful
2. (of a gift) generous; liberal

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Derived Forms

• muˈnificently, adverb
• muˈnificence, noun

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Other Words From

• mu·nifi·cence mu·nifi·cent·ness noun
• mu·nifi·cent·ly adverb
• unmu·nifi·cent adjective
• unmu·nifi·cent·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of munificent1

First recorded in

1565–75;

back formation from

munificence

or from Latin mūnificentia “generosity, bountifulness,” equivalent to mūnific(us) “generous, bountiful” ( muni-, combining form of mūnus “service, duty, gift” + -ficus -fic

) + -entia -ence

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Word History and Origins

Origin of munificent1

C16: back formation from Latin mūnificentia liberality, from mūnificus, from mūnus gift + facere to make

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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Next to world food programs, it’s hard to think of a more munificent humanitarian contribution.

It’s a joy to see the rest of the series catch up with her munificent excellence in its sophomore year.

How would Mr. Courtney make this munificent procurement dream come true?

But it is possible to imagine China exploiting that medicine as a domestic moneymaker, or as leverage over developing countries to whom it will play the munificent benefactor.

The Trump administration’s withholding of funds from the World Health Organization handed Mr. Xi a chance to appear munificent when he pledged $2 billion in assistance and promised to make any vaccine widely available.