splendid
Definitions
Magnificent or impressive in appearance; grand
壮丽的；宏伟的；华丽的
Excellent; very good (a slightly old-fashioned term of approval)
极好的；绝佳的（略显老派的赞许用语）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsplend (shine) + -id (adj.) = 'shining, brilliant.' It began as literal brightness — a splendid jewel — but brightness became a metaphor for excellence, so 'splendid!' now often just means 'wonderful, first-rate,' frequently with no thought of light at all.
Root splend still carries 3 more wordsWhy It Means This
Splendid lives a double life. In its older, fuller sense it means literally dazzling or magnificent — a splendid palace, a splendid view. But its most common everyday use, especially in British English, is as a warm exclamation meaning simply 'excellent': 'Splendid! See you at noon.' The light has faded into pure approval.
Usage Guide
As an exclamation ('Splendid!') it sounds upbeat but a touch old-fashioned or British — common in polite, cheerful speech. The fixed phrase 'splendid isolation' (a deliberate, even smug standing apart) is idiomatic and not a literal use of the word.
Example Sentences
- 1.
From the summit we had a splendid view of the whole valley.
- 2.
Splendid! I'll book the table for eight o'clock then.
- 3.
She wore a splendid red gown to the gala.
- 4.
The country maintained a policy of splendid isolation for decades.
Synonym Comparison
- splendid — magnificent and bright, or warmly 'excellent'; slightly old-fashioned
- magnificent — grand on a large, impressive scale: a magnificent cathedral
- gorgeous — strikingly beautiful, often about appearance: a gorgeous dress
- superb — top quality, flawless: a superb performance
- brilliant — dazzlingly bright, or (BrE) simply 'great'