glory

[ glawr-ee ]

noun

, plural glo·ries.

1. very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown:

   to win glory on the field of battle.

   Synonyms: celebrity, eminence, fame

   Antonyms: obloquy, disgrace

2. something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride:

   a sonnet that is one of the glories of English poetry.

3. adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving:

   Give glory to God.

4. resplendent beauty or magnificence:

   the glory of autumn.

   Synonyms: refulgence, effulgence, brilliance

5. a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity.
6. a state of absolute happiness, gratification, contentment, etc.:

   She was in her glory when her horse won the Derby.

7. the splendor and bliss of heaven; heaven.
8. a ring, circle, or surrounding radiance of light represented about the head or the whole figure of a sacred person, as Christ or a saint; a halo, nimbus, or aureole.
9. anticorona.

verb (used without object)

, glo·ried, glo·ry·ing.

1. to exult with triumph; rejoice proudly (usually followed by in ):

   Their father gloried in their success.

2. Obsolete. to boast.

interjection

1. Also glory be. Glory be to God (used to express surprise, elation, wonder, etc.).

glory

/ ˈɡlɔːrɪ /

noun

1. exaltation, praise, or honour, as that accorded by general consent

   the glory for the exploit went to the captain

2. something that brings or is worthy of praise (esp in the phrase crowning glory )
3. thanksgiving, adoration, or worship

   glory be to God

4. pomp; splendour

   the glory of the king's reign

5. radiant beauty; resplendence

   the glory of the sunset

6. the beauty and bliss of heaven
7. a state of extreme happiness or prosperity
8. another word for halo nimbus

verb

1. introften foll byin to triumph or exult
2. obsolete.
   intr to brag

interjection

1. informal.
   a mild interjection to express pleasure or surprise (often in the exclamatory phrase glory be! )

Other Words From

• glo·ry·ing·ly adverb
• self-glo·ry noun
• self-glo·ry·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glory¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French glorie, from Latin glōria

Word History and Origins

Origin of glory¹

C13: from Old French glorie, from Latin glōria, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. glory days / years, the time of greatest achievement, popularity, success, or the like:

   the glory days of radio.

2. go to glory, to die. Also go to one's glory.

More idioms and phrases containing glory

see in one's glory .

Example Sentences

Great Britain missing out on a first Billie Jean King Cup final for 43 years "stings", but Katie Boulter believes the team are close to ending their wait for glory.

From BBC

People prefer political leaders who make them feel great about their country and who identify themselves with its promise and glory.

From Salon

In a sport where players operate as sole traders for the majority of the year, switching from a mindset of pursuing individual glory to achieving a common goal can be tricky.

From BBC

Not just the record 20 English titles and three European Cups but also the dark days of the Munich air disaster and the rise to glory under Sir Matt Busby.

From BBC

For all the history, glory, rags-to-riches stories, boxing is - at its very essence - a gladiatorial sport where one punch, hesitation or lapse of concentration can prove fatal.

From BBC