magnificent

adjective

mag·​nif·​i·​cent mag-ˈni-fə-sənt 

məg-

1

: great in deed or exalted in place

—used only of former famous rulers

Lorenzo the Magnificent

2

: marked by stately grandeur and lavishness

a magnificent way of life

The coronation was a magnificent sight.

3

: sumptuous in structure and adornment

a magnificent cathedral

broadly : strikingly beautiful or impressive

a magnificent physique

4

: impressive to the mind or spirit : sublime

magnificent prose

know the truth for the magnificent purpose of becoming free

—Philip Wylie

5

: exceptionally fine

a magnificent day

valley crops were magnificent that year

—Julian Dana

magnificently adverb

Synonyms

• august
• baronial
• epic
• gallant
• glorious
• grand
• grandiose
• heroic
• heroical
• Homeric
• imperial
• imposing
• magnific
• majestic
• massive
• monumental
• noble
• proud
• regal
• royal
• splendid
• stately

Choose the Right Synonym for magnificent

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of magnificent in a Sentence

the magnificent cathedrals of Europe

He gave a magnificent performance.

Recent Examples on the Web

How, for one magnificent season in 1981, a Mexican immigrant electrified a city that had long treated its Mexican residents as little better than the help, winning the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year while propelling the team to its first World Series win in 16 years. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

So, my attraction to Dial was not only about his achievement [as an artist], which is magnificent and endlessly meaningful, with such immense symbolic and material possibilities, but there was always another level of the challenge and the thrill of where does this belong? —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Boasting exquisite gardens, sprawling estates, and history around every corner, these 20 magnificent edifices have been transformed into accommodations suitable for the present-day traveler. —Allix Cott, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

With plenty of overnight accommodations, cool boutiques, artsy finds, and Southern cuisine, visitors can enjoy both the arts and the scenery, which is extra magnificent in the fall. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magnificent

adjective

mag·​nif·​i·​cent mag-ˈnif-ə-sənt 

1

: having impressive beauty

the magnificent cathedrals of Europe

2

: noble entry 1 sense 5

a magnificent character

magnificently adverb