majestic

adjective

ma·​jes·​tic mə-ˈje-stik 

: having or exhibiting majesty : stately

majestic mountains

majestically

mə-ˈje-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• classy
• courtly
• elegant
• fine
• graceful
• handsome
• refined
• stately
• tasteful

Choose the Right Synonym for majestic

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 majestic in a Sentence

a majestic pillar of society who continues to entertain in grand style

a majestic Egyptian pyramid that has enthralled travelers for aeons

Recent Examples on the Web

At its core, this is a painting about fading: H.M.S. Temeraire was a majestic old warship that had played an important part in the Battle of Trafalgar three decades earlier but, eventually, became militarily obsolete and had to be scrapped for parts. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Listen to this article A flurry of grassroots activism in Little Village began Saturday when the clock struck noon on the majestic arch above West 26th Street that for decades has served as a gateway to the largest and most recognized Mexican immigrant community in Chicago. —Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025

Iceland to Greenland polar cruise Duration: 13 days Embark on an extraordinary 13-day journey into the heart of Greenland's majestic Scoresby Sund aboard the state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel, Sylvia Earle. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2025

But if all goes to plan, the majestic ship will embark on its journey to Florida on Saturday after some setbacks that delayed its original departure late last year. —Danny Freeman, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

majestic

adjective

ma·​jes·​tic mə-ˈjes-tik 

: being stately and dignified : noble

majestically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb