splendid

adjective

splen·​did ˈsplen-dəd 

1

: possessing or displaying splendor: such as

a

: shining, brilliant

b

: marked by showy magnificence

2

: illustrious, grand

3

a

: excellent

a splendid opportunity

b

: being out of the ordinary : singular

splendidly adverb

splendidness noun

Synonyms

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

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

The weather forecast for the Royals’ 2025 season opener is splendid. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2025

Walt Spangler uses every inch of the Guthrie’s proscenium stage to make a grand living room of the space, full of big chandeliers and splendid little details. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2025

The best in the live-action genre to date remain Bill Condon’s blockbuster Beauty and the Beast and Kenneth Branagh’s splendid Cinderella. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025

And for Sanders and Ward, one of those people is their shared personal quarterback coach, Darrell Colbert Jr. Once a splendid quarterback in his own right, Colbert grew up playing football at the highest level one can in high school – in the state of Texas. —Mat Issa, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for splendid

• bended
• blended
• ended
• fended
• mended
• pended
• tended
• trended
• wended
• amended
• appended
• ascended

Kids Definition

splendid

adjective

splen·​did ˈsplen-dəd 

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"