resplendent

adjective

re·​splen·​dent ri-ˈsplen-dənt 

: shining brilliantly : characterized by a glowing splendor

meadows resplendent with wildflowers

—Outdoor World

resplendently adverb

Did you know?

Resplendent has a lot in common with splendid (meaning, among other things, "shining" or "brilliant"), splendent ("shining" or "glossy"), and splendor ("brightness" or "luster"). Each of these glowing terms gets its shine from the Latin verb splendēre ("to shine"). In the case of resplendent, the prefix re- added to splendēre, formed the Latin resplendēre, meaning "to shine back." Splendent, splendor, and resplendent were first used in English during the 15th century, but splendid didn't light up our language until over 175 years later; its earliest known use dates from the early 1600s.

Choose the Right Synonym for resplendent

splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.

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 resplendent in a Sentence

The fields were resplendent with flowers.

She looked resplendent in her green evening gown.

a bird with resplendent yellow feathers

Recent Examples on the Web

Thankfully, Yves Cape’s cinematography is resplendent enough in capturing the transformative scenery to allow for the occasional impressionistic dollop of blue, tranquil gurgling. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023

Its claustrophobic confines feature both resplendent, symphonic color and form, and an atmosphere of choking menace. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023

Although green seemed still to dominate the woodland palette, and somber browns also showed up, they could be regarded as backdrops for bright yellow leaves resplendent against patches of blue sky. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2023

Looking across the Serengeti at herds of honking wildebeest, most of us would be awed by the exuberance of these migrating masses, resplendent in their magnitude. —Amy Brady, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023

What was done is soon revealed in the film, as vintage stills of the Osage, posed in their finery or in resplendent automobiles, make way for other images, composed by Scorsese with equal calm: dead bodies of the Osage, viewed from above, laid out on their beds. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2023

The original 18th-century manor offers five rooms, resplendent with antique furnishings and a sense of history, while next door, the contemporary hotel designed by architect Francisco Vieira de Campos, houses eight rooms. —Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2023

The result was a sea of guests resplendent in the signature styles of quiet luxury: elegant women in wide-legged trousers, oversized jackets and silk dresses; men in soft suiting, chic double-breasted jackets and pale linen. —Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2023

Linda, resplendent in a custom sequined take on look 71 from Valentino’s fall 2023 runway. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin resplendent-, resplendens, present participle of resplendēre to shine back, from re- + splendēre to shine — more at splendid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

resplendent

adjective

re·​splen·​dent ri-ˈsplen-dənt 

: so bright as to seem to glow

fields resplendent with flowers

resplendent in a new red coat

resplendently adverb