adjective
splendid
Exceptionally beautiful and impressive
Where it comes from
Splendid comes from Latin splendidus, bright or brilliant, derived from splendere, to shine or glitter.
How the meaning developed
Visible radiance broadened into figurative magnificence, distinction, and excellence. Calling an idea splendid applies the vocabulary of light to something with no literal glow.
In use
Instead of “That’s awesome.”
Try “That is positively splendid.”
“Splendid” means exceptionally beautiful, impressive or excellent. “Positively” adds emphatic approval here.
The rewrite is cheerfully old-fashioned, not more correct.
Sources
Definitions adapted from Open English WordNet where applicable. License and attribution. Word-history text comes from Lexifour’s sourced social research; pages are assembled automatically, not individually fact-checked on every update.
Updated 2026-09-30. Report a correction.