mighty

[ mahy-tee ]

adjective

, might·i·er, might·i·est.

1. having, characterized by, or showing superior power or strength:

   mighty rulers.

   Synonyms: puissant, strong

   Antonyms: feeble

2. of great size; huge:

   a mighty oak.

   Synonyms: sizable, tremendous, enormous, immense

   Antonyms: small

3. great in amount, extent, degree, or importance; exceptional:

   a mighty accomplishment.

adverb

1. Informal. very; extremely:

   I'm mighty pleased.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. mighty persons collectively:

   the rich and the mighty.

mighty

/ ˈmaɪtɪ /

adjective

1. 1. having or indicating might; powerful or strong
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the mighty

2. very large; vast
3. very great in extent, importance, etc

adverb

1. informal.
   (intensifier)

   he was mighty tired

Derived Forms

• ˈmightiness, noun

Other Words From

• mighti·ness noun
• over·mighty adjective
• quasi-mighty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mighty¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English mihtig; might ², -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see high and mighty .

Synonym Study

See powerful.

Example Sentences

Rampant cord-cutting has roiled the television business and linear cable channels — once a mighty draw for couch-potato viewing — have become endangered species.

From Los Angeles Times

Excitement and anticipation ran high in Indian cricket circles as the team was expected to face the mighty Australians, led by legendary batsman Donald Bradman.

From BBC

These gusts are not expected to be as strong as the mighty winds that fueled the rapid spread of the Mountain fire earlier this month.

From Los Angeles Times

The real purpose here is to insulate the snowflake-fragile egos of men who cannot feel mighty unless a woman pretends — or is forced to pretend — that she's weak.

From Salon

Then it lumbers around inside the car, raking the leather seats with its mighty claws.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enormous
• huge
• imposing
• large
• magnificent
• massive
• towering

More About Mighty

What does mighty mean?

Mighty means extremely strong (as in a mighty warrior) or powerful (as in a mighty king).

The noun might most commonly means great strength or power. People who are mighty in this way are sometimes referred to collectively as the mighty, in the same way that the rich is sometimes used, as in The rich and mighty hold all the power. The expression how the mighty have fallen is used to comment on a once powerful or popular person or thing that is now much less powerful or popular.

Mighty can also mean of great size—especially big for its kind, as in a mighty oak.    

Less commonly, mighty means of great importance, as in a mighty accomplishment.

Sometimes, mighty is used as a very informal way of saying very or extremely, as in That’s a mighty fine hat you’re wearing. This use of mighty can sound a bit old-fashioned or folksy.

The adverb form of mighty is mightily.

The phrase high and mighty is often used as an adverb meaning in an arrogant or self-important manner, as in Please stop acting so high and mighty—you’re not the boss here. It can also be used as an adjective, in which case it’s often hyphenated (high-and-mighty). The phrase can also be used as a collective noun in the same way that mighty can, as in The high and mighty take too much and give too little. 

Example: He was a mighty ruler, and his empire extended to the ends of the earth.

Where does mighty come from?

The first records of the word mighty come from before the 900s. It comes from the Old English mihtig. The suffix -y is used to make the noun might into an adjective.

Mighty is used in many names in pop culture and fiction, such as Mighty Mouse, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the Mighty Ducks. The superhero Thor calls his fellow Avengers “Earth’s mightiest heroes.”

The proverb “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow” means that big and powerful things often have small beginnings.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to mighty?

• mightier (comparative adjective)
• mightiest (superlative adjective)
• mightiness (noun)
• mightily (adverb)
• might (noun)

What are some synonyms for mighty?

• strong
• powerful
• huge
• enormous
• imposing
• towering
• very
• extremely

What are some words that share a root or word element with mighty? 

• high and mighty
• might makes right

What are some words that often get used in discussing mighty?

• king
• queen
• ruler
• warrior
• great
• power
• size
• strength
• wealth

How is mighty used in real life?

Mighty can sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned—it’s more common to describe things as strong or powerful.

sometimes. i’ll get really feisty. and nibble on the human’s sleeve. to remind them i am a descendant. of the mighty wolf

— Thoughts of Dog® (@dog_feelings) October 18, 2018

As one of the mightiest warriors under the heavens, Lü Bu has proven himself on multiple occasions to be an expert combatant, as well as a most imposing presence on the battlefield. While he is indisputably fierce, Lü Bu is unpredictable, and has a penchant for betrayal. pic.twitter.com/cSTEyskJft

— Total War (@totalwar) February 12, 2019

Watching the 49ers lose to the Cowboys all I can think is, my how the mighty have fallen.

— Brand Ol’ Brandon (@welplookathim) December 20, 2020

 

Try using mighty!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of mighty?

A. medium
B. imposing
C. powerful
D. strong