splendor

noun

splen·​dor ˈsplen-dər 

1

a

: great brightness or luster : brilliancy

b

: magnificence, pomp

2

: something splendid

the splendors of the past

splendorous adjective

or less commonly splendrous

ˈsplen-d(ə-)rəs 

Synonyms

• majesty
• brilliance
• glory
• elegance
• magnificence
• grandeur
• nobility

Examples of splendor in a Sentence

The palace had lost much of its original splendor.

the splendor of the ancient monument awed us into silence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gardens brim with fall florals, landscapers here seem to outdo themselves, decking porches and pathways with mums, pumpkins, and late blooms that rival summer’s splendor. —Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025

But director Joseph Kosinski delivers real spectacle, too, depicting the raging fires in all of their visual splendor without ever skimping on tension and danger. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025

There are lots of other ways to admire the region’s autumnal splendor, from crossing the swinging bridge at Seven Bends State Park to riding the chairlift at Bryce Resort. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025

Nearby Cannes offers a different kind of enchantment—one that contains red carpets and cinematic splendor. —Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English splendure, from Anglo-French splendur, from Latin splendor, from splendēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for splendor

• bender
• blender
• fender
• gender
• lender
• mender
• prendre
• render
• sender
• slender
• tender
• vender

Kids Definition

splendor

noun

splen·​dor ˈsplen-dər 

1

: great brightness : brilliance

the splendor of the sun

2

: pomp sense 1, glory

the splendor of ancient Rome

3

: something splendid

the splendors of the past

splendorous adjective

also splendrous

ˈsplen-d(ə-)rəs