splendor

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 

Synonyms

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

Examples of splendor in a Sentence

The palace had lost much of its original splendor.

the splendor of the ancient monument awed us into silence

Recent Examples on the Web

What followed was option-football sharpness in all its service-academy splendor. —Joey Knight, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Nov. 2024

What to know Fall splendor: Where to see vibrant fall colors around Indiana 2024 Trick-or-treating safety tips from IMPD this Halloween The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department offered several safety tips for trick-or-treating on Halloween. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024

This is a searing drama with an abundance of style and hallucinatory visual splendor, but one in which every choice feels deliberate and meaningful, too. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

Very little of that is the direct byproduct of Hield’s own splendor (the Warriors have had great opponent shooting luck in his minutes, and over half of his minutes have been shared with the venerable gatekeeper, Draymond Green). —Mat Issa, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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