What does magnanimous mean?
Magnanimous describes someone who is generous, noble, and forgiving, particularly when personal interests or feelings of resentment could justify retaliation. The word is especially associated with graceful conduct after victory: a magnanimous winner praises an opponent, avoids gloating, and may offer help or reconciliation. It can also describe an attitude that is broad-minded and public-spirited, such as a magnanimous decision to forgive a perceived slight or share credit for an achievement. Because magnanimous carries strong approval, it is often heard in formal reporting about sport, politics, diplomacy, and business. In ordinary conversation it can sound ceremonious or exaggerated, and ironic uses may imply that someone is being too generous or overlooking wrongdoing. Related forms include the noun magnanimity and the adverb magnanimously.
adjectiveGenerous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful. It can also describe behavior marked by nobility, fairness, and a readiness to put aside personal advantage.
- Generous, forgiving, and noble, especially in treatment of a rival or an opponent.
- Showing a readiness to forgo personal advantage or retaliate.
- Generous and gracious in victory or success.
"After the election, the victorious candidate was magnanimous in victory and offered his opponent a prominent role in the administration."
"The manager was magnanimous after the defeat, praising the opposing team and congratulating his own players without criticizing anyone."
"Her magnanimous decision to forgive the misunderstanding allowed the partnership to continue."
Magnanimous literally means “great-souled”: it describes strength of character joined to generosity and grace.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of magnanimous
Magnanimous comes from Latin magnanimus, formed from magnus, meaning “great,” and animus, meaning “soul” or “spirit.” The compound conveyed the idea of a great or noble soul, and the English adjective became established during the early modern period. Its relatives include magnanimity, magnificent, magnify, and magnitude, all ultimately associated with Latin magnus.
Related word forms
How magnanimous is actually used
The word is formal and generally laudatory. It is especially common in reports of sport, elections, negotiations, and public disputes, where it may describe a winner's gracious treatment of an opponent. It can also be used sarcastically to imply that someone is excessively generous or naive.
Easily confused with magnanimous
Magnanimous means generous, noble, or forgiving, whereas magnificent means splendid, impressive, or exceptionally beautiful.