magnificent

magnificent — adjective

1. used to describe something that is strikingly grand in appearance, size, or qual

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe something that is strikingly grand in appearance, size, or quality, filling you with a sense of wonder or admiration

Example

From the top of the hill, the palace looked truly magnificent in the evening light.

predicative use: look + magnificent

Nora bought a magnificent silk dress for her sister's wedding ceremony.

attributive use: magnificent + noun

Common collocations
  • magnificent view
  • magnificent building
  • magnificent palace
  • magnificent scenery
  • magnificent performance
  • magnificent achievement
  • magnificent collection
  • magnificent display
Synonyms
  • splendid

    very similar in meaning, but slightly less formal and often used for occasions or events

  • grand

    focuses more on impressive size or scale; can be less emotional than 'magnificent'

  • glorious

    emphasises beauty combined with a sense of joy or triumph; often used for weather, views, or victories

Antonyms
  • modest

    the opposite of grand or showy

  • ordinary

    plain and unremarkable, lacking special beauty or size

Grammar Patterns

magnificent + noun

be + magnificent

Usage Note

Magnificent is stronger than 'beautiful' or 'impressive' — it suggests that something is so grand that it creates a feeling of wonder. Often used for buildings, views, works of art, and large-scale achievements.

Common Mistakes

The soup was magnificent.
The soup was delicious.
magnificent is too strong for everyday food; use it only for truly grand or impressive things.
She wore a magnificent smile.
She wore a beautiful smile.
'magnificent' is not idiomatic for facial expressions; use 'beautiful', 'radiant', or 'lovely' instead.

Word family

  • magnificence
    nounC1
  • magnificently
    adverbC1
  • magnify
    verbB2
  • magnifier
    nounB2
  • magnitude
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something impressive, but they differ in emphasis. 'Magnificent' is the strongest — it suggests a scale or quality that inspires wonder, like a vast cathedral or a stunning landscape. 'Splendid' is a close match but feels slightly warmer and more social; you might call a party or an outfit 'splendid'. 'Grand' focuses on size and ambition rather than beauty — a 'grand plan' may or may not be beautiful. 'Glorious' adds an emotional layer of joy or triumph, often used for sunsets, victories, or weather. 'Gorgeous' is the most informal and purely about visual beauty — a dress, a person, or a view can be 'gorgeous', but the word lacks the sense of awe that 'magnificent' carries. For a building that takes your breath away, use 'magnificent'; for a lovely meal or a pretty park, 'splendid' or 'gorgeous' fits better.

splendid ↗grand ↗glorious ↗gorgeous ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • magnificent view
  • magnificent building
  • magnificent palace
  • magnificent scenery
  • magnificent performance
  • magnificent achievement
  • magnificent collection
  • magnificent display
  • magnificent example

Adverbs

  • truly magnificent
  • absolutely magnificent
  • quite magnificent
  • simply magnificent

Phrases

  • in magnificent style
  • of magnificent proportions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'magnificus', meaning 'great in deeds' or 'splendid', formed from 'magnus' (great) and '-ficus' (making or doing). The word entered English through Old French 'magnifique' around the 1400s, originally describing people or deeds of great nobility, and later broadened to describe anything impressively grand or beautiful.