What does splendid mean?
Splendid describes something that is exceptionally beautiful, impressive, excellent, or successful. Its strongest and most common use is approving: a splendid meal, a splendid achievement, or a splendid view. The word conveys admiration and often suggests something unusually fine in quality or appearance. Although it has a formal and occasionally old-fashioned tone in British English, it remains natural in American English and is widely understood. Historically, splendid was connected with brightness and shining appearance, which explains its association with magnificence as well as excellence. In contemporary use, it is especially effective for praise, celebration, and descriptive writing.
Exceptionally good, impressive, beautiful, or successful.
"The committee praised her splendid contribution to the project."
Usually positive and admiring; somewhat formal in British English and common in American English.
To make or render splendid; to embellish or display magnificently.
"The colorful banners splendided the town square for the festival."
Rare and chiefly literary or archaic in modern English.
From the Latin word for “to shine,” splendid originally described anything brilliantly bright before it came to mean magnificent or excellent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does splendid come from?
Splendid comes from Latin splendidus, meaning “shining” or “bright,” formed from splendere, “to shine.” English borrowed the word in the early 17th century, initially with a strong emphasis on brilliance and magnificence. Its modern sense of “excellent” developed later, so that a splendid person or performance is admired for exceptional quality. Related words include splendor, splendour, and resplendent, all reflecting the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How splendid is actually used
Splendid is formal but widely understood and often used in warm, celebratory contexts. In British English, it can be somewhat old-fashioned when used to mean excellent, while in American English it is common in general speech.
Easily confused with splendid
No distinct word is commonly confused with splendid; its main potential confusion is with the related noun splendor, which means great beauty or magnificence.