glorious

Adjective

glorious (comparative more glorious or gloriouser, superlative most glorious or gloriousest)

1. Exhibiting attributes, qualities, or acts that are worthy of or receive glory.
   • glorious deeds
   • Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, / The spirit-stirring drum, th’ ear-piercing fife, / The royal banner, and all quality, / Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...

   Synonyms:

   admirable, praiseworthy, honoured, illustrious, allowable, commendable, creditable, estimable, honorable, laudable

   Antonyms:

   gloriless, inglorious, unglorious, fameless, nameless, nonfamous, obscure, renownless, unfamous, unhonored

2. Excellent, wonderful; delightful.
   • These are thy glorious works, Parent of good.1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
   • Borini missed another glorious opportunity to give his side the lead after brilliant set-up play by Sterling, but with only the exposed keeper to beat, he struck the post.2012 August 23, Alasdair Lamont, “Hearts 0-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms:

   fabulous, sensational, splendid, amazing, astounding, awe-inspiring, awesome, awful, awesomesauce, based

3. Bright or shining;
   • And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage / Until the golden circuit on my head, / Like to the glorious sun’s transparent beams, / Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

   Synonyms:

   splendid, resplendent, bright, shining, aglow, alight, beamful, beamsome, beamy, brilliant

4. (obsolete) Eager for glory or distinction
   • [...] but most miserable / Is the desire that’s glorious: blest be those, / How mean soe’er, that have their honest wills, / Which seasons comfort. […]1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard...
5. (obsolete) Excessively proud or boastful.
   • Make heauen to frowne and euery fixed ſtarre
     To ſucke vp poiſon from the Mooriſh Fens,
     And poure it in this glorious Tyrants throat.c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   haughty, boastful, ostentatious, vainglorious, airy, arrogant, chesty, authoritarian, biggity, big-headed

6. (archaic, colloquial) Ecstatic; hilarious; elated with drink.
   • During his Office, Treaſon vvas no Crime. / The Sons of Belial had a Glorious Time: / For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf, / Yet lov'd his vvicked Neighbour as himſelf.1681, [John Dryden], Absalom and Achitophel. A Poem, London: […] J[acob] T[onson] and are to be sold by W. Davis […], →OCLC, page 19
   • Kings may be bleſt, but Tam was glorious, / O'er a' the ills o' life victorious!1790 (date written; published 1791), Robert Burns, “Tam o’ Shanter. A Tale.”, in Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, 2nd edition, volume II, Edinburgh: […] T[homas] Cadell, […], and William...

   Synonyms:

   merry