magnanimous

adjective

mag·​nan·​i·​mous mag-ˈna-nə-məs 

1

: showing or suggesting a generous and kind nature

… a magnanimous and moving gesture, suitable to the spirit of the holiday.

—Maurizio Valsania

He'd have been magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat.

—Liam Thorp

It was to be a family party, but Roderick, in his magnanimous geniality, insisted on inviting Mr. Striker …

—Henry James

2

: showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit

… the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers …

—Joseph Addison

magnanimously adverb

magnanimousness noun

Did you know?

When you see anima, animus, or a similar formation in a word, it’s often an indicator of something alive, lively, or spirited. Something described as animated is full of life, for example, and the word animal refers to a living thing. The Latin word anima means “breath” or “soul” and animus means “spirit.” In magnanimous, animus is joined by the Latin word magnus, meaning “great.” Basically meaning “greatness of spirit,” magnanimity is the opposite of selfishness. A truly magnanimous person can lose without complaining and win without gloating, and angry disputes can sometimes be resolved when one side makes a magnanimous gesture toward the other.

Synonyms of magnanimous

• noble
• great
• honorable
• high
• gallant
• sublime

Examples of magnanimous in a Sentence

"No problem," I dismissed his concerns with a magnanimous flick of the wrist. —Tom Perrotta, Joe College, 2000

… and many of them retain a respectful Eisenhower-or-Kennedy-era view of America as Japan's usually magnanimous elder brother. —James Fallows, Atlantic, August 1989

… with the off-duty cops downing them as fast as he could pour, Leery could afford to be magnanimous and play the jukebox for the boys and girls. —Joseph Wambaugh, The Delta Star, 1983

Levesque was magnanimous in victory, immediately reassuring English-speaking Quebecers that they were still welcome in the province, an integral part of its history. —Mordecai Richler, Atlantic, June 1983

She was too magnanimous to resent all the things others had said to her.

a magnanimous donation to the town's animal shelter

Recent Examples on the Web

But in his second term in the White House, Trump has also shared the spotlight and success with several of his Cabinet members, suggesting a somewhat magnanimous president primed to handpick his successor in 2028. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 18 Oct. 2025

Rowling wasn't so magnanimous when addressing the ideological split between her and Watson. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025

See that magnanimous future awaiting you? —Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Cryer and Chuck Lorre are there to be magnanimous. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin magnanimus, from magnus great + animus spirit — more at much, animate

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for magnanimous

• unanimous
• animus
• pusillanimous

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Kids Definition

magnanimous

adjective

mag·​nan·​i·​mous mag-ˈnan-ə-məs 

1

: having or showing a noble and courageous spirit

2

: being generous and forgiving

magnanimously adverb