magnanimous

adjective

mag·​nan·​i·​mous mag-ˈna-nə-məs 

1

: showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit

the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers

—Joseph Addison

2

: showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind

too sincere for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment

—Ellen Glasgow

magnanimously adverb

magnanimousness noun

Did you know?

When you see anima, animus, or a similar formation in a word, it’s often an indicator of something alive, lively, or spirited. Something described as animated is full of life, for example, and the word animal refers to a living thing. The Latin word anima means “breath” or “soul” and animus means “spirit.” In magnanimous, animus is joined by the Latin word magnus, meaning “great.” Basically meaning “greatness of spirit,” magnanimity is the opposite of selfishness. A truly magnanimous person can lose without complaining and win without gloating, and angry disputes can sometimes be resolved when one side makes a magnanimous gesture toward the other.

Synonyms

• big
• chivalrous
• elevated
• gallant
• great
• greathearted
• high
• high-minded
• lofty
• lordly
• natural
• noble
• sublime

Examples of magnanimous in a Sentence

"No problem," I dismissed his concerns with a magnanimous flick of the wrist. —Tom Perrotta, Joe College, 2000

… and many of them retain a respectful Eisenhower-or-Kennedy-era view of America as Japan's usually magnanimous elder brother. —James Fallows, Atlantic, August 1989

… with the off-duty cops downing them as fast as he could pour, Leery could afford to be magnanimous and play the jukebox for the boys and girls. —Joseph Wambaugh, The Delta Star, 1983

Levesque was magnanimous in victory, immediately reassuring English-speaking Quebecers that they were still welcome in the province, an integral part of its history. —Mordecai Richler, Atlantic, June 1983

She was too magnanimous to resent all the things others had said to her.

a magnanimous donation to the town's animal shelter

Recent Examples on the Web

Spreading the hosting love around is a magnanimous act. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024

Finally, Rogers urged an approach to politics that was critical yet charitable, principled yet magnanimous. —Steven Watts, The Conversation, 23 Sep. 2024

Erdogan is not magnanimous in victory or in defeat, and the referendum has presented him with both. —Michael J. Koplow, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2017

Listen and follow » The Critic Recommends Rebecca Mead Staff writer Craig Brown’s book depicts the monumental figure at its center with magnanimous levity. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin magnanimus, from magnus great + animus spirit — more at much, animate

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

magnanimous

adjective

mag·​nan·​i·​mous mag-ˈnan-ə-məs 

1

: having or showing a noble and courageous spirit

2

: being generous and forgiving

magnanimously adverb