What does mirific mean?
Mirific is a rare formal adjective meaning extraordinarily splendid, remarkable, or worthy of wonder. It is typically used for things that inspire admiration or astonishment because of their beauty, grandeur, or unusual qualities. In modern English, “wonderful,” “marvellous,” and “remarkable” are much more common, while “mirific” chiefly survives in elevated writing and descriptions of impressive sights or achievements. The word can apply to visual, artistic, architectural, or natural spectacles: a mirific display, a mirific view, or a mirific achievement. Its elevated sound gives it a somewhat archaic quality, so using it today may lend a sentence a literary, nostalgic, or ceremonial tone. It is not a direct synonym for miraculous in the sense of being supernatural; its central sense concerns something that is remarkably beautiful or impressive.
adjectiveSo remarkable or splendid as to inspire wonder. Mirific is a formal or literary word, now chiefly encountered in archaic and elevated prose.
- Remarkable, splendid, or wonderful enough to inspire wonder.
"The restored cathedral was a mirific spectacle of stone, colour, and light."
"The mirific palace became the most celebrated attraction in the region."
"Her mirific performance transformed the ordinary concert hall into a place of drama and beauty."
A mirific creation is not merely very good: it is so extraordinary that it makes the viewer pause in astonishment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mirific come from?
Mirific comes from Latin mirificus, meaning “wonderful” or “marvellous,” formed from mirus, “wonderful” or “admirable,” and the suffix -ficus, associated with making. English borrowed the word in the 16th century, when it was more common in learned and literary contexts. It shares a Latin origin with words such as miracle, mirage, admire, and admiration.
Related word forms
How mirific is actually used
Mirific is now rare and strongly literary. It sounds more elevated than “wonderful” or “marvellous” and is more likely to appear in historical writing, formal descriptions, or deliberately archaic prose.