adjective
Common
splendid
SPLEHN-dihd
Splendid (adjective) means Magnificent, impressively beautiful, or of very high quality. Example: “The palace had a splendid, gold-trimmed ceiling.”
adjective
1
Magnificent, impressively beautiful, or of very high quality.
"The palace had a splendid, gold-trimmed ceiling."
"We had a splendid time at the coast."
How to use splendid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishImpressively grand, beautiful, or excellent.
Common pairings
splendid view
splendid idea
a splendid time
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Word forms
- Comparative
- splendider, more splendid
- Superlative
- splendidest, most splendid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The palace had a _____, gold-trimmed ceiling.
Etymology
From Latin splendidus, from splendēre, "to shine," plus the adjective suffix -idus.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “splendid” mean?
The word “splendid” means magnificent, impressively beautiful, or of very high quality. In plain terms, impressively grand, beautiful, or excellent.
How do you pronounce “splendid”?
“Splendid” is pronounced SPLEHN-dihd (/ˈsplɛndɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “splendid” in a sentence?
Here is “splendid” used in a sentence: “The palace had a splendid, gold-trimmed ceiling.”
What is another word for “splendid”?
Words with a similar meaning to “splendid” include great, magnificent and marvellous.
What part of speech is “splendid”?
“Splendid” is an adjective.
Where does the word “splendid” come from?
The word “splendid” comes from Latin. From Latin splendidus, from splendēre, "to shine," plus the adjective suffix -idus.
Is “splendid” a common word?
“Splendid” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is "splendid" a formal or informal word?
"Splendid" can be used in both formal and everyday speech, but it often carries a slightly old-fashioned or upper-class British tone, especially as an exclamation like "Splendid!" In modern casual speech, words like "great" or "awesome" are more common. It still works well in written descriptions of impressive things, such as buildings or achievements.
What is the difference between "splendid" and "beautiful"?
"Beautiful" describes something pleasing to look at, while "splendid" adds a sense of grandeur, impressiveness, and high quality beyond simple attractiveness. A splendid building might be beautiful but also large, ornate, or historically significant. "Splendid" can also describe things that are not visual, such as a splendid performance or idea.
Can "splendid" be used sarcastically?
Yes, "splendid" is sometimes used ironically or sarcastically to express annoyance rather than genuine approval, as in "Oh, splendid, another delay." Tone of voice or context usually signals the sarcastic meaning. This use is informal and relies on the listener recognizing the mismatch between the word's positive meaning and the negative situation.
