adjective
-
displaying great happiness, calmness, etc
a beatific smile
-
of, conferring, or relating to a state of celestial happiness
Other Word Forms
- beatifically adverb
- nonbeatific adjective
- nonbeatifically adverb
Etymology
Origin of beatific
First recorded in 1630–40; from French, from Late Latin beātificus “making happy,” equivalent to beāt(us) (past participle of beāre “to bless”) + -i- + -ficus; see -ate 1, -i-, -fic
Explanation
That blissful grin on your face? It could be described as beatific, meaning it projects a peaceful sense of joy. If you have a beatific smile on your face, then the happiness it shows is the real thing. This word doesn’t describe phony smiles or quick grins that show a little amusement. Use beatific to describe something characterized by complete and perfect joy. It’s often used to describe a smile, but it can be used to describe anything in a state of bliss.
Vocabulary lists containing beatific
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Fahrenheit 451
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
From the world’s vantage point, Los Angeles can look like a place that glides serenely along beneath a beatific sun.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
She started off strong, rich and nuanced in Dejanira’s bleak lament about her husband’s long absence and her beatific vision of their future together after death.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Mr Kirke later said jumping from Isambard Kingdom Brunel's 150-year-old structure, was an "almost beatific moment".
From BBC • Oct. 25, 2023
No longer are pictures limited to beatific kindergartners with unicorn backpacks.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2023
He departed with a beatific air suiting the Prophet of the Master and the two humans avoided each other’s eyes.
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
