Glorious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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glorious

[หˆษกlษ”หriษ™s ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling or showing great happiness and pride

Having or deserving great fame, admiration, or respect. Delightful; wonderful; completely enjoyable. Characterized by great beauty and splendor. Having a striking beauty or splendor that evokes feelings of delighted admiration.

Synonyms

beautiful, magnificent, majestic, splendid, wonderful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glorious

Use when describing something that is magnificently beautiful or splendid, often with a sense of grandeur or inspiring awe.

  • The sunset over the mountains was absolutely glorious.
  • They had a glorious time at the festival, full of laughter and joy.
magnificent

Best used for something that is impressively beautiful or excellent, often on a grand scale.

  • The palace was a magnificent sight with its golden towers.
  • The orchestra delivered a magnificent performance that night.
splendid

Used for something impressive and beautiful, often suggesting brightness and glory.

  • The fireworks display was simply splendid.
  • They had a splendid vacation at the seaside.
majestic

Describes something that is grand and impressive in a dignified or solemn way, often associated with royal or natural settings.

  • The majestic mountains stood tall against the sky.
  • There was a majestic air about the ancient castle.
beautiful

Appropriate for describing something that is aesthetically pleasing to the senses, especially to the eyes.

  • The bride looked beautiful in her wedding dress.
  • They have a beautiful garden with colorful flowers.
wonderful

Describes something that is extremely good, pleasant, or enjoyable.

  • They had a wonderful time at the amusement park.
  • Her cooking is always wonderful and full of flavor.

Examples of usage

  • The team was bathed in a glorious light as they celebrated their victory.
  • She wore a glorious gown for the special occasion.
Context #2 | Adjective

used to emphasize how beautiful or impressive something is

Very beautiful or magnificent. Glowing with great beauty or splendor. Extremely impressive or wonderful.

Synonyms

awe-inspiring, breathtaking, impressive, magnificent, stunning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
glorious

Used to describe something that brings great joy and admiration, often related to experiences or achievements.

  • It was a glorious victory for the team
  • We had a glorious time at the beach
stunning

Used to describe something extremely attractive or beautiful, often related to appearance or design.

  • She wore a stunning red dress
  • The hotel's view of the city was absolutely stunning
breathtaking

Used to describe something so beautiful or remarkable that it takes one's breath away, often related to scenery, performances, or moments.

  • The sunset over the ocean was absolutely breathtaking
  • Her performance in the play was breathtaking
awe-inspiring

Used to describe something that causes a feeling of wonder and amazement, often related to natural phenomena or extraordinary feats.

  • The view from the top of the mountain was awe-inspiring
  • His dedication to helping others is truly awe-inspiring
magnificent

Used to describe something that is very beautiful, elaborate, or impressive, often related to architecture, nature, or artistic works.

  • The castle's interiors are simply magnificent
  • The bride looked magnificent in her wedding dress
impressive

Used to describe something that causes admiration due to its size, quality, or skill, often related to achievements or physical attributes.

  • His knowledge of history is impressive
  • The new building's architecture is very impressive

Examples of usage

  • The sunset was a glorious sight to behold.
  • The orchestra played a glorious symphony that moved the audience to tears.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many poets and authors use this word to express profound admiration, often to describe nature or heroic deeds.
  • Shakespeare frequently employed 'glorious' to emphasize beauty and grandeur in human characters and natural scenes.
  • In John Milton's famous epic 'Paradise Lost', the word evokes a sense of divine beauty and splendor.

Art

  • In art, particularly in the Baroque period, artists often depicted glorious scenes filled with dramatic light and grandeur.
  • Famous artworks, like 'The Glory of the Virgin' by Italian painter Carlo Crivelli, emphasize transcendent beauty and divine presence.
  • The portrayal of glorious moments is a common theme in religious art, where heavenly beings are often depicted in radiant colors.

Pop Culture

  • Songs like 'Glorious' by Macklemore celebrate personal achievements and the beauty of lifeโ€™s moments.
  • The word frequently appears in movie titles and dialogues to enhance the emotional weight of scenes depicting triumph or beauty.
  • Television series often highlight glorious settings, such as stunning landscapes in shows like 'Game of Thrones' to captivate audiences.

Psychology

  • Experiencing glorious moments can lead to feelings of happiness and fulfillment, influencing overall well-being.
  • Positive psychology emphasizes the importance of recognizing 'glorious' events in everyday life to boost mood and life satisfaction.
  • Finding beauty in daily life can enhance one's perspective, making challenges appear smaller and more manageable.

Origin of 'glorious'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'gloria', meaning fame or renown, which emphasizes something worthy of admiration.
  • Over time, it evolved to describe not just fame, but also beauty and magnificence in various contexts.
  • In early Middle English, it was adapted from the Old French word 'glorie', expanding its use in literature.

The word 'glorious' originated from Middle English 'gloriouse', from Old French 'glorieus', based on Latin 'gloriosus', from 'gloria' meaning 'glory'. The term has evolved over time to represent something magnificent, splendid, or deserving of admiration.


See also: glorification, vainglorious.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,952, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.