majestic

adjective

ma·​jes·​tic mə-ˈje-stik 

: having or exhibiting majesty : stately

majestic mountains

majestically

mə-ˈje-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• classy
• courtly
• elegant
• fine
• graceful
• handsome
• refined
• stately
• tasteful

Choose the Right Synonym for majestic

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 majestic in a Sentence

a majestic pillar of society who continues to entertain in grand style

a majestic Egyptian pyramid that has enthralled travelers for aeons

Recent Examples on the Web

Mountains once majestic against the blue horizon have been erased and swallowed by vast pits as the Peruvian government courts international mining companies scraping the ancestral lands for metal. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024

Courtesy Netflix Photographed by Addy Campbell, GQ, May/April 2024 Domingo attended his first Met Gala earlier this year, following an awards season that saw the actor’s bold, majestic style command red carpets and anoint him one of the best dressed men in Hollywood. —Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024

Their love for the great land of Alaska is contagious, and the train's windows cinematically frame the vast diversity of natural scenery that the 470 miles of track cuts through—from plunging gorges with snaking rivers flowing below to majestic glaciers and fjords. —Molly O'Brien, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Oct. 2024

Still, these majestic creatures flit and float their way through it every year—and then fly back come spring. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

majestic

adjective

ma·​jes·​tic mə-ˈjes-tik 

: being stately and dignified : noble

majestically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb