resplendent

adjective

re·​splen·​dent ri-ˈsplen-dənt 

: shining brilliantly : characterized by a glowing splendor

meadows resplendent with wildflowers

—Outdoor World

resplendently adverb

Did you know?

Resplendent has a lot in common with splendid (meaning, among other things, "shining" or "brilliant"), splendent ("shining" or "glossy"), and splendor ("brightness" or "luster"). Each of these glowing terms gets its shine from the Latin verb splendēre ("to shine"). In the case of resplendent, the prefix re- added to splendēre, formed the Latin resplendēre, meaning "to shine back." Splendent, splendor, and resplendent were first used in English during the 15th century, but splendid didn't light up our language until over 175 years later; its earliest known use dates from the early 1600s.

Choose the Right Synonym for resplendent

splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.

splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

Examples of resplendent in a Sentence

The fields were resplendent with flowers.

She looked resplendent in her green evening gown.

a bird with resplendent yellow feathers

Recent Examples on the Web

From routine fixes to resplendent grandeur, each day more consumers rely on aftermarket options to be unique but now also for convenience. —Sarwant Singh, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

More than a decade after declaring its intention to undergo major reconstruction, and five years after treatment began, the Frick is back, intact and resplendent. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 25 Mar. 2025

No other flower has commands devotion and adoration as much as roses and in the pages of this book, in photographs that are at once achingly beautiful and resplendent, the author captures the enduring beauty of the rose. —Blue Carreon, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

At first the monolithic structure, resplendent with gauzy projections, suggests an iceberg slowly thawing, revealing remnants of the primordial world, beautiful feral creatures that leap and prowl. —Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin resplendent-, resplendens, present participle of resplendēre to shine back, from re- + splendēre to shine — more at splendid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for resplendent

• appendant
• ascendant
• attendant
• defendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• transcendent
• codefendant
• independent

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Kids Definition

resplendent

adjective

re·​splen·​dent ri-ˈsplen-dənt 

: so bright as to seem to glow

fields resplendent with flowers

resplendent in a new red coat

resplendently adverb