spectacular

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

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

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

The ideal intervention would satisfy paradoxical demands: to be spectacular and go unnoticed, to fuse with the historical fabric without imitating its style, and to make the interior as spacious as possible without inflating the structure.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "This Time, a Much More Promising Attempt to Fix the Frick," 13 Apr. 2018
The fear of failing to finish in the top four in the Premier League and progressing into the final stages of the European Cup have been quashed as Liverpool's form following Coutinho's sale has been nothing short of spectacular.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: Reason Why Jurgen Klopp Agreed to Allow Philippe Coutinho to Leave Liverpool in January," 12 Apr. 2018
These more spectacular scenes are there to gin up big laughs, but none of them feels remotely original.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Blockers Is an R-Rated Prom-Night Comedy With Heart," 6 Apr. 2018
His record is spectacular around here.’’ Rory McIlroy, needing only a green jacket to compete the career Grand Slam, also took notice.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Jordan Spieth opens with 66 for two-shot lead," 5 Apr. 2018
There is a driving range on the property and, because the course is atop the Verdugo Mountains, the views are spectacular.

— joyce rudolph, latimes.com, "On the Town: Women are joining men’s groups for the first time," 3 Apr. 2018
Warm weather draws hikers to North Carolina's many mountain waterfalls, where the views are spectacular but visits can turn fatal.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Man plunges 70 feet off North Carolina waterfall | Charlotte Observer," 2 Apr. 2018
The spectacle, as Owens' float swung onto Bourbon Street, was nothing short of, well, spectacular.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Chris Owens' Easter Parade couldn't have been a sweeter scene," 1 Apr. 2018
The people, the food, the coastline are all spectacular.

— matthew kronsberg, Condé Nast Traveler, "NASA Astronauts Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel Share Their Travel Secrets," 27 Mar. 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

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
Yamamoto turned fashion shows into large-scale spectaculars and spun intricate costumes out of classic kimonos and samurai pants.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "5 Things to Know About Kansai Yamamoto, the Japanese Designer Who Lent a Hand to Louis Vuitton Cruise 2018," 14 May 2017