glorious

adjective

glo·​ri·​ous ˈglȯr-ē-əs 

1

a

: possessing or deserving glory : illustrious

had a long and glorious military career

b

: entitling one to glory

a glorious victory

2

: marked by great beauty or splendor : magnificent

a glorious sunset

3

: delightful, wonderful

had a glorious weekend

gloriously adverb

gloriousness noun

Synonyms

• august
• baronial
• epic
• gallant
• grand
• grandiose
• heroic
• heroical
• Homeric
• imperial
• imposing
• magnific
• magnificent
• majestic
• massive
• monumental
• noble
• proud
• regal
• royal
• splendid
• stately

Choose the Right Synonym for glorious

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 glorious in a Sentence

He had a long and glorious military career.

The old ruins give only a hint of the city's glorious past.

The government has described the battle as a glorious victory.

Our room had a glorious view of the mountains.

Recent Examples on the Web

After the station closed, Canfranc lured only a trickle of adventure lovers, drawn by glorious summer hiking and two tiny ski resorts farther up the valley. —Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024

The author of The Joy Luck Club, The Valley of Amazement and other novels, Tan makes a glorious success of her first venture into non-fiction. —Barbara J. King, NPR, 22 Apr. 2024

For a glorious decade or two, red wine was lauded as good for the heart. —Eric Asimov, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

With stunning harmonies and the infusion of on-stage pianists, guitarists and drummers, the show feels like watching a glorious tapestry come together. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024

The month of May ushers in two glorious events: The unofficial start of summer and amazing Memorial Day sales. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 15 Apr. 2024

The work is glorious in myriad ways: clever and practical, insightful and improvised. —Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

Tupperware, meanwhile, is still waiting for the return of a glorious past that is never coming back. —Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

Women’s basketball has a glorious history that predates the NCAA’s involvement. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French glorios, from Latin gloriosus glorious, vainglorious, from gloria

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

glorious

adjective

glo·​ri·​ous ˈglōr-ē-əs 

ˈglȯr-

1

a

: possessing or deserving glory : illustrious

b

: bringing glory

glorious victory

2

: having great beauty or splendor

a glorious sunset

3

: delightful

had a glorious day

gloriously adverb

gloriousness noun