gorgeous

adjective

gor·geous ˈgȯr-jəs

Synonyms of gorgeous next

: splendidly or showily brilliant or magnificent

gorgeously adverb

gorgeousness noun

Did you know?

In the late Middle Ages many women wore a type of headdress—called a wimple in English—that surrounded the neck and head, leaving only the face uncovered. The word gorgias, from gorge, meaning “throat,” was the French name for the part of the headdress that covered the throat and shoulders. In time it also came to be used as a name for the entire garment. A beautiful headdress was so much the mark of a fashionable lady that Gorgias then became an adjective meaning “elegant” or “fond of dress.” Borrowed into English as gorgayse and then gorgeous, the word gradually took on the meaning of “beautiful” that it has today.

Choose the Right Synonym for gorgeous

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 gorgeous in a Sentence

The difference in appearance can be dramatic, as I saw on a visit to the small, modern factory where Pineider prints its stationery, in a gorgeous part of Tuscany near Florence and bordering Chianti. —

Corby Kummer, Atlantic, May 2001

In the Arlberg … my wife and I were taken to the most perfect dinner by an elderly Viennese couple and their gorgeous young daughter, whom we had met in Washington. —

Geoffrey Wolff, Granta, Autumn 1990

Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes. —

L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900

Your baby is absolutely gorgeous! sunsets in Hawaii are just gorgeous

Recent Examples on the Web Aside from cold weather essentials, this gorgeous leather tote is the perfect carry-all for work and weekend trips that adds a chic touch to schlepping around your products from place to place. —

Maura Jenkins, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023 Paired with this gorgeous tote from Madewell, I'll be set with the essentials to style any outfit all season long. —

Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023 Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful cookware line lives up to its name with gorgeous and functional pieces that come in an array of colors that match any aesthetic. —

Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023 Josh also recorded a video speeding by Christina, with the gorgeous scenery in the background. —

Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 The retailer offers two gorgeous colorways, Blue Blush and Nickel Copper, so take your pick (or flip a coin). —

Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon This Hair Crimper For Gorgeous Locks Create stunning beach waves with this Hair Crimper that has a foldable design and unique shape that assists in creating the most gorgeous waves. —

Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 Some destinations are just gorgeous year-round, but when is the best time to go to the Maldives to make the most of the weather in this dream destination? —

Anna Prendergast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2023 These are instruments that would sound gorgeous by accident. —

Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gorgeous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gorgeouse, from Middle French gorgias elegant, perhaps from gorgias wimple, from gorge throat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of gorgeous was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gorgeous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gorgeous. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

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Kids Definition

gorgeous

adjective

gor·geous ˈgȯr-jəs

: having an impressive beauty

a gorgeous sunset

gorgeously adverb

gorgeousness noun

Etymology

Middle English gorgeouse "very showy, splendid," from early French gorgias "elegant," from gorgias "headdress, wimple," from gorge "part of the wimple covering the throat, throat"

Word Origin

In the late Middle Ages many women wore a type of headdress—called a wimple in English—that surrounded the neck and head, leaving only the face uncovered. The word gorgias, from gorge, meaning "throat," was then the French name for the part of the headdress that covered the throat and shoulders. In time it also came to be used as a name for the entire garment. Perhaps because a beautiful headdress was the mark of a fashionable lady, gorgias seems to have become an adjective meaning "elegant" or "fond of dress." Borrowed into English as gorgayse and then gorgeous, the word gradually took on the meaning of "beautiful" which it has today.