magnificence

noun

mag·​nif·​i·​cence mag-ˈni-fə-sən(t)s 

məg-

1

: the quality or state of being magnificent

2

: splendor of surroundings

Synonyms

• augustness
• brilliance
• gloriousness
• glory
• gorgeousness
• grandeur
• grandness
• majesty
• nobility
• nobleness
• resplendence
• resplendency
• splendidness
• splendiferousness
• splendor
• stateliness
• stupendousness
• sublimeness
• superbness

Examples of magnificence in a Sentence

the magnificence of the great castle hallway is beyond description

Recent Examples on the Web

As the story has been all season, the Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the NFC Championship on the back of Saquon Barkley's magnificence carrying the football on Sunday. —Sean Treppedi, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025

Its glitter reflected the score’s magnificence and guaranteed a fun show even on nights with a fourth-string cast. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

That is to say, none of this magnificence was expected of him by society. —Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024

The magnificence of the technology is on full display in a bravura sequence in which Tóth and Van Buren travel to the marble quarries of Carrara, Italy, to select a piece of stone for the altarpiece that will sit in the Institute’s chapel. —Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin magnificentia, from magnificus noble in character, magnificent, from magnus great + -ficus -fic — more at much

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magnificence

noun

mag·​nif·​i·​cence mag-ˈnif-ə-sən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being magnificent