splendor

1 of 2

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 

splendorous

2 of 2

adjective

splen·​dor·​ous

variants also British splendourrous

-d(ə)rəs

or less commonly splendrous

-drəs 

: full of splendor : very bright : splendid

Synonyms of splendor

Noun

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

Examples of splendor in a Sentence

Noun

The palace had lost much of its original splendor.

the splendor of the ancient monument awed us into silence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Editor Cam McLauchlin never cuts them into mere blitzes of limbs and blood, though DP Katelin Arizmendi’s acidic palette of yellows, greens and corporeal streaks of red does lend the realism a kind of pop-art splendor. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Affleck is clearly trying for something closer to poetry here, hoping the film’s visual splendor and its heightened dialogue would convey profundity. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Marvel at the color explosion from over 800 trail miles, or peer down across the splendor from high-elevation surrounding perches like Dolly Sods. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026

Here, the British-Greek Corfiot shares her guide to the Italian-leaning island’s Venetian traditions, natural splendor, and seasonal dishes—all of which are best experienced in the off-season. — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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