Meaning & use
magnificent
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Meanings
adjectivecomparableapproving
Very impressive in size, beauty or grandeur.
Grammar: Can come before a noun or after be: a magnificent view.
Patterns
- a magnificent view of something
The palace was a magnificent building.
We had a magnificent view of the mountains.
She wore a magnificent gown.
adjectivecomparableinformalapproving
Excellent or outstanding in quality.
Grammar: Used for achievements and efforts: a magnificent performance.
Patterns
- a magnificent job
The team put in a magnificent performance.
You did a magnificent job on the cake.
It was a magnificent goal.
Word forms
| comparative | more magnificent |
|---|---|
| superlative | most magnificent |
Common combinations
- magnificent view
- The room has a magnificent view of the sea.
- magnificent building
- The library is a magnificent building.
- magnificent performance
- The singer gave a magnificent performance.
- truly magnificent
- The sunset was truly magnificent.
- magnificent achievement
- Finishing the climb was a magnificent achievement.
Synonyms and how they differ
- splendid
- Splendid is a bit lighter and often used for something lovely.
- grand
- Grand suggests size and importance but can be less warm.
- superb
- Superb focuses on excellent quality rather than size.
- majestic
- Majestic suggests dignity and a royal quality.
Opposites
Word family
- magnificence noun
- grandeur
- magnificently adverb
- in a splendid way
- magnify verb
- to make bigger
- magnitude noun
- great size or importance
Commonly confused: magnificent or magnanimous?
magnificent vs magnanimous
Magnanimous means generous and forgiving. It is not about grandeur.
Practice
From the hilltop we had a ___ view of the whole valley.
Choose one answer.
Magnificent describes a grand, impressive view. The others are negative or small.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “magnificent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.