legendary
B2Both formal and informal
Definition
Meaning
Very famous or well-known over a long period, especially in connection with stories from the past.
1. Relating to, based on, or described in a legend or legends. 2. (informal) Remarkable enough to be famous; extraordinary or very impressive.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges the historical/mythological ('King Arthur is a legendary figure') and the hyperbolic contemporary colloquial ('He's a legendary football player' / 'That party was legendary!').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or primary usage. The hyperbolic, informal sense ('That was legendary!') is equally common in both.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to carry a sense of awe or historical gravitas in formal UK contexts, but this nuance is minor.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
adjective + noun (legendary hero)verb + adjective (become legendary)linking verb + adjective (is legendary for...)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pass into legend/ become the stuff of legend (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might be used hyperbolically about a founder or a past success ('the company's legendary attention to detail').
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or cultural studies to discuss figures or events treated as legendary.
Everyday
Common in informal praise ('That concert was legendary!') and in discussing famous people ('He's a legendary guitarist').
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts outside of specific fields like folklore studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The legendary Robin Hood is said to have stolen from the rich.
- Their fish and chips is legendary in this part of London.
American English
- Babe Ruth is a legendary figure in baseball history.
- That diner is legendary for its huge pancakes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandad is not legendary, but he is very kind.
- Many people think Elvis Presley is a legendary singer.
- Her patience with students is legendary throughout the school.
- The film is based on the legendary adventures of a Greek hero.
- The company's legendary focus on design began to wane after the founder's departure.
- While historically dubious, his exploits swiftly passed into legendary status among the troops.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LEGEND on a map, telling stories of old places. LEGENDary things are so famous they belong in those stories.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAME IS IMMORTALITY (a legendary figure 'lives on'), EXTRAORDINARY IS MYTHICAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'легендарный' in every informal praise context; in English, 'amazing', 'incredible', or 'epic' might be more natural than 'legendary' for a single good event. 'Legendary' implies a lasting, established reputation.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'good' or 'nice' without the connotation of established fame (e.g., 'This cake is legendary' – only if it's famously known over time). Overuse in informal contexts dilutes its impact.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'legendary' used in its core, historical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern informal use, it can describe something extraordinarily good or impressive that just happened (e.g., 'That goal was legendary!'), implying it will be remembered and talked about for a long time.
The related noun is 'legend'. 'Legendary' is the adjective derived from it.
While 'legendary' is often treated as a non-gradable adjective (something either is or isn't a legend), comparative and superlative forms ('more/most legendary') are commonly used in informal contexts to express degree of fame or impressiveness.
Not always. It primarily means 'described in or based on legends', which often involve mythical or exaggerated elements. However, it can also be applied to real people whose actual fame is so great it approaches the mythical (e.g., 'a legendary explorer'). Context clarifies.