magnificent

adjective

mag·​nif·​i·​cent mag-ˈni-fə-sənt 

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 free

—Philip Wylie

5

: exceptionally fine

a magnificent day

valley crops were magnificent that year

—Julian Dana

magnificently adverb

Synonyms

• august
• baronial
• epic
• gallant
• glorious
• grand
• grandiose
• heroic
• heroical
• Homeric
• imperial
• imposing
• magnific
• majestic
• massive
• monumental
• noble
• proud
• regal
• royal
• splendid
• stately

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

One-day entry costs $60 ($25 for students), or $80 for unlimited visits through Tuesday, a modest price for a magnificent experience to see masterpieces that may be on view for the first or last time. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

In an era that looked as if it might be defined by an American man of depraved cruelty, corruption, and shame, what a magnificent thing the Catholic Church has done. —Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025

Maasai Mara, Kenya July is great for: a magnificent movement en masse. —Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025

On May 6, Queen Camilla visited the magnificent display of bright red ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. —Simon Perry, People.com, 8 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for magnificent

• munificent

Kids Definition

magnificent

adjective

mag·​nif·​i·​cent mag-ˈnif-ə-sənt 

1

: having impressive beauty

the magnificent cathedrals of Europe

2

: noble entry 1 sense 5

a magnificent character

magnificently adverb