adj
Uncommon
sublime
suh-BLYM
Sublime (adj) means So impressive, beautiful, or grand that it inspires deep awe. Example: “The view from the summit was utterly sublime.”
adj
1
So impressive, beautiful, or grand that it inspires deep awe.
"The view from the summit was utterly sublime."
"Critics called the performance a sublime piece of acting."
verb
1
For a solid to turn directly into a gas without passing through a liquid stage, or to cause it to do so (a chemistry term also called sublimating).
"Dry ice sublimes at room temperature, turning straight into carbon dioxide gas."
How to use sublime
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn everyday use, something so beautiful or grand it takes your breath away; in chemistry, a solid changing straight into a gas.
When to use it
The chemistry sense is technical; the everyday sense is a fairly formal, literary way to say "amazing."
Common pairings
sublime beauty
utterly sublime
sublime to ridiculous
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Word forms
- Plural
- sublimes
- Third person singular
- sublimes
- Past tense
- sublimed
- Comparative
- sublimer
- Superlative
- sublimest
- Archaic forms
- sublimest, sublimedst, sublimeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The view from the summit was utterly _____.
Etymology
From Latin sublīmis, "elevated, lofty" — from sub- ("up to") plus a root meaning roughly "raised."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sublime
See all rhymes for sublime →Frequently asked questions
What does “sublime” mean?
The word “sublime” means so impressive, beautiful, or grand that it inspires deep awe. In plain terms, in everyday use, something so beautiful or grand it takes your breath away; in chemistry, a solid changing straight into a gas.
How do you pronounce “sublime”?
“Sublime” is pronounced suh-BLYM (/səˈblaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “sublime” in a sentence?
Here is “sublime” used in a sentence: “The view from the summit was utterly sublime.”
What is the opposite of “sublime”?
The opposite of “sublime” — its antonyms — are deposit, desublimate, base and unsublime.
What part of speech is “sublime”?
Depending on how it is used, “sublime” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “sublime” come from?
The word “sublime” comes from Latin. From Latin sublīmis, "elevated, lofty" — from sub- ("up to") plus a root meaning roughly "raised.".
Is “sublime” a common word?
“Sublime” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sublime” have?
“Sublime” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: so impressive, beautiful, or grand that it inspires deep awe.
