magnificent

[ mag-nif-uh-suhnt ]

adjective

1. 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

2. extraordinarily fine; superb:

   a magnificent opportunity; magnificent weather.

3. noble; sublime:

   a magnificent poem.

4. (usually initial capital letter) (formerly used as a title of some rulers) great; grand:

   Lorenzo the Magnificent.

5. lavishly munificent; extravagant:

   a magnificent inheritance.

magnificent

/ mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt /

adjective

1. splendid or impressive in appearance
2. superb or very fine
3. (esp of ideas) noble or elevated
4. archaic.
   great or exalted in rank or action

Derived Forms

• magˈnificentness, noun
• magˈnificently, adverb

Other Words From

• mag·nifi·cent·ly adverb
• mag·nifi·cent·ness noun
• super·mag·nifi·cent adjective
• super·mag·nifi·cent·ly adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnificent¹

C16: from Latin magnificentio more splendid; irregular comparative of magnificus great in deeds; see magnific

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.

Example Sentences

And the “Magnificent Seven” Big Tech stocks that kept the markets aloft this year are celebrating.

From Slate

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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".

From BBC

Accompanying the post was a photo of Di’Anno’s friends and family, who over the weekend hosted a show in his honor at the Underworld Camden, a live-music venue in London: “With a magnificent musical set, his musical colleagues said a worthy farewell to their friend.”

From Los Angeles Times

They were relentless in their physicality, the game turning into a magnificent frenzy.

From BBC

Related Words

• brilliant
• elegant
• excellent
• glittering
• gorgeous
• grand
• grandiose
• imposing
• impressive
• lavish
• lofty
• noble
• opulent
• outstanding
• palatial
• splendid
• stately
• striking
• sublime
• sumptuous