magnificent

adjective

mag·​nif·​i·​cent mag-ˈni-fə-sənt How to pronounce magnificent (audio)
məg-
1
: great in deed or exalted in place
used only of former famous rulers
Lorenzo the Magnificent
2
: marked by stately grandeur and lavishness
a magnificent way of life
The coronation was a magnificent sight.
3
: sumptuous in structure and adornment
a magnificent cathedral
broadly : strikingly beautiful or impressive
a magnificent physique
4
: impressive to the mind or spirit : sublime
magnificent prose
know the truth for the magnificent purpose of becoming freePhilip Wylie
5
: exceptionally fine
a magnificent day
valley crops were magnificent that yearJulian Dana
magnificently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for magnificent

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of magnificent in a Sentence

the magnificent cathedrals of Europe He gave a magnificent performance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In one of his only performances as an ostensibly normal guy, Cruise brings magnificent dirtbag energy to War of the Worlds' Ray, a working-class deadbeat dad whose one weekend with his kids (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) overlaps with an alien invasion. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025 Heart rate rises, breath softens, and eyes glue to this magnificent 500-pound mammal that could rip me to pieces with the simple swipe of its striped paw. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 May 2025 Emerald Isle, located on the western end of Bogue Banks, is one of its most magnificent communities. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 May 2025 Because in the gutters — of which there are precious few in the Chomet — there would teem the magnificent tumults and silences that constitute and propel a life. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for magnificent

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnificent was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Magnificent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnificent. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

magnificent

adjective
mag·​nif·​i·​cent mag-ˈnif-ə-sənt How to pronounce magnificent (audio)
1
: having impressive beauty
the magnificent cathedrals of Europe
2
: noble entry 1 sense 5
a magnificent character
magnificently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on magnificent

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