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

Scheffler had calibrated his sights, cashing in on yet another magnificent spinning approach to roll his third consecutive birdie into the 10th cup. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024

One of Arizona’s strangest, most magnificent and underappreciated places will soon celebrate a milestone. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

In the main building, a young monk from Syria named Seraphim escorted us into an anteroom with a magnificent view over the sea. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024

How did that child—born James Slattery—become this magnificent other? —Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

But the most spectacular thing to see will be the sun's magnificent corona, according to scientists. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2024

But the cuff, with its magnificent 118.7 unheated cushion-cut sapphire, was breathtaking. —Kate Matthams, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

This is always magnificent but, of course, not always pretty. —Mark Gozonsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

There are Japanese gardens, magnolias, rare Japanese flowers, and just the most magnificent plantings. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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