splendid

adjective

splen·​did ˈsplen-dəd How to pronounce splendid (audio)
1
: possessing or displaying splendor: such as
b
: marked by showy magnificence
2
3
a
: excellent
a splendid opportunity
b
: being out of the ordinary : singular
splendidly adverb
splendidness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for splendid

splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.

splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.

the wedding was a splendid occasion

resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.

resplendent in her jewelry

gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.

a gorgeous red dress

glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.

a glorious sunset

sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.

a vision of sublime beauty

superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.

her singing was superb

Examples of splendid in a Sentence

We have a splendid opportunity to do something really useful. I have some splendid news. “We'll be coming out to visit over the summer.” “Oh, splendid!”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For a country three times the size of Texas, rich with culture, art and nature, the figure is a perfect encapsulation of the problem with overtourism: people descending on one or two main points while dozens of splendid places remain largely under the radar. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 With a hushed reverence (the film’s splendid, Chopin-heavy soundtrack goes pin-drop silent here), James escorts them through the stark, gruesome chambers of the compound, accompanied by the ghosts of its countless victims. Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 King, a professor of international affairs and government at Georgetown University and a splendid writer, has made a specialty of popular cultural history. Jan Swafford, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024 The superficial treatment of the movie’s sterner themes doesn’t help its splendid cast. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for splendid 

Word History

Etymology

Latin splendidus, from splendēre to shine; perhaps akin to Middle Irish lainn bright

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of splendid was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near splendid

Cite this Entry

“Splendid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splendid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

splendid

adjective
splen·​did ˈsplen-dəd How to pronounce splendid (audio)
1
: having or showing splendor : brilliant
2
: impressive in beauty, grandeur, or excellence
a splendid job
a splendid palace
3
: excellent
had a splendid time at the beach
splendidly adverb
splendidness noun
Etymology

from Latin splendidus "splendid, brilliant," from splendēre "to shine"

More from Merriam-Webster on splendid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!