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

Scaffolding companies will make room in their inventory only for the new stuff if clients demand — and are willing to pay for — a little more splendor on the street. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026

The western pediment of the Parthenon, one of the main attractions of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece, has been partially restored to its full splendor and was unveiled to the public last Thursday. — News Desk, Artforum, 22 June 2026

Decorative limestone and sandstone moldings adorned the building’s facades, while columns made from the same materials enhanced its splendor. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026

And the changing light and seasonal splendor of the surrounding hills — whether in full flower or fading to summery gold — provides a lovely complement to all this creativity. — Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 15 June 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