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.
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 2001In 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 1990Banks 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 WebAside 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
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.
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