splendor

noun

splen·​dor ˈsplen-dər 

1

a

: great brightness or luster : brilliancy

b

: magnificence, pomp

2

: something splendid

the splendors of the past

splendorous adjective

or less commonly splendrous

ˈsplen-d(ə-)rəs 

Synonyms of splendor

• majesty
• brilliance
• glory
• elegance
• magnificence
• grandeur
• nobility

Examples of splendor in a Sentence

The palace had lost much of its original splendor.

the splendor of the ancient monument awed us into silence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, every inch of the inn is steeped in history and splendor. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

These galleries trace his evolution from Sunday best to front-row splendor. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025

Want to capture the natural splendor of the Geminid meteor shower for yourself? —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Dec. 2025

When the mountains, with all their splendor and all their demons, never really leave you, is that a good thing or a bad thing? —Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English splendure, from Anglo-French splendur, from Latin splendor, from splendēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for splendor

• bender
• blender
• fender
• gender
• lender
• mender
• prendre
• render
• sender
• slender
• tender
• vender

Kids Definition

splendor

noun

splen·​dor ˈsplen-dər 

1

: great brightness : brilliance

the splendor of the sun

2

: pomp sense 1, glory

the splendor of ancient Rome

3

: something splendid

the splendors of the past

splendorous adjective

also splendrous

ˈsplen-d(ə-)rəs