spectacular

adjective spec·tac·u·lar \ spek-ˈta-kyə-lər , spək- \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: spectacular in a Sentence

Definition of spectacular

: of, relating to, or being a spectacle : striking, sensational

a spectacular display of fireworks

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spectacularly

adverb

See spectacular defined for English-language learners

See spectacular defined for kids

Examples of spectacular in a Sentence

a spectacular play in a football game
The autumn foliage was spectacular.

Recent Examples of spectacular from the Web

If standard play would likely lead to a loss, why not try for the spectacular, instead?

— howard fendrich, Fox News, "Nadal wins 11th French Open title by beating Thiem in 3 sets," 10 June 2018
While pride cannot be measured, the significance of an SAFC victory over FC Dallas would have been real and spectacular, given the off-field machinations and low-rent skullduggery of the last year.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Suds and duds: SAFC loses Open Cup match," 6 June 2018
Stripling’s velocity is nothing special, at 91.9 mph on average, and his swinging-strike rate of 10.4% is good but not spectacular (and actually down from last season).

— jon tayler, SI.com, "The Dodgers Are Back in Contention Thanks to a Host of Unlikely Contributors," 5 June 2018
Ahead of the puck drop, the pregame extravaganza was lavish, spectacular, over the top and an instant hit.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Las Vegas needs more sports — and sports needs more Vegas," 29 May 2018
The flowers appear in late spring and are spectacular, but otherwise the foliage looks like a small fountain of grass.

— kenneth setzer, miamiherald, "When grass or gravel won't do, these plants are easy and attractive ground cover | Miami Herald," 24 May 2018
Her acceptance speech was nothing short of spectacular.

— temi adebowale, Marie Claire, "Janet Jackson Gave an Amazing Speech at the Billboard Music Awards," 21 May 2018
On a spectacular, sunny spring day, Gorniak and several of her classmates were sitting in a patch of green grass and — get this — petting a dog.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Outdoor education expo offers skills and activities," 19 May 2018
On time, spectacular, with Ueberroth confidently predicting a 10 percent budget surplus (on a budget of $500 million) to Sports Illustrated in 1982.

— alexandra lange, Curbed, "Lessons from LA’s 1984 Summer Olympics," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spectacular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of spectacular

Latin spectaculum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1682

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

spectacular

noun

Definition of spectacular

: something that is spectacular; especially : an elaborate film, television, or theatrical production

Examples of spectacular in a Sentence

the larger-than-life spectaculars that make Las Vegas attractive to people with little interest in gambling

Recent Examples of spectacular from the Web

More: Jack-O-Lantern spectacular: What to expect at this year's Halloween must-see event More: Beauty with a dash of spooky.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is back. Here's how to get in free," 16 Oct. 2017
Unfortunately, until those critical funds and resources come through, the hit Broadway spectacular will have to suffice.

— michael andor brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "The Weekender: A marathon pre-Marathon weekend," 12 Apr. 2018
That might make Washington more skeptical of the freewheeling, unscripted headline grabbing reality-show style television spectaculars that Trump seems to relish -- but have now twice been proven not to shape policy.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Trump not so tough on guns," 12 Mar. 2018
Cirque du Soleil has announced the dates for Sep7imo Día - No Descansaré, its acrobatic spectacular based on the music and story of the Argentine trio Soda Stereo.

— judy cantor-navas, Billboard, "Cirque du Soleil Announces U.S. Dates for Soda Stereo Spectacular," 4 Jan. 2018
Cirque du Soleil combines circus arts such as juggling, high-wire acts and other specialty skills with colorful costumes and evocative music to create visual and aural spectaculars.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Cirque du Soleil's 'La Nouba' replacement will focus on Disney," 18 Dec. 2017
Founding his own eponymous theater company, Dragone went on to create a live residency show for Canadian pop singer Celine Dion, and launch death-defying aquatic spectaculars in Macau and Las Vegas.

— zeena saifi, jon jensen, CNN, "Franco Dragone brings his splashy magic to Dubai," 27 Sep. 2017
Despite slow-burning hits like this summer's The Big Sick, the genre remains a low priority for Hollywood suits who prefer to pour money into superhero spectaculars.

— andrea mandell, USA TODAY, "Did Nora Ephron save the rom-com? A new books says yes," 28 Aug. 2017
Logan also does what so few superhero spectaculars, with their turgid mega-battles, manage to do: remind us of the actual life-and-death stakes of all this blockbuster violence.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "The Best Movies and TV Shows of 2017, So Far," 29 June 2017