splendour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “splendour” mean?
Magnificent and splendid appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur.
Great beauty or impressiveness, often associated with wealth, glory, or natural scenes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'splendour', while American English uses 'splendor'.
Connotations
Similar in meaning, but 'splendour' may carry a slightly more British or traditional tone.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to spelling conventions, but used comparably in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “splendour” in a Sentence
in all its splendourthe splendour of [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “splendour” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He played the piano splendidly at the recital.
American English
- The project was executed splendidly by the team.
adjective
British English
- The theatrical performance was utterly splendid.
American English
- The new art exhibit is simply splendid.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; occasionally used in marketing or luxury branding to evoke elegance.
Academic
Common in literature, history, and art criticism to describe majestic settings or eras.
Everyday
Infrequent in casual speech; more likely in formal descriptions or travel writing.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts; reserved for subjective or aesthetic descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “splendour”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “splendour”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “splendour”
- Misspelling as 'splendor' in British English contexts; overusing in informal settings where simpler terms like 'beauty' suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is used in both, but the spelling differs: 'splendour' is standard in British English, while 'splendor' is standard in American English.
No, 'splendour' is primarily a noun. The related adjective is 'splendid' and adverb is 'splendidly'.
Common collocations include 'full splendour', 'regal splendour', and 'natural splendour', often used to emphasize intensity or context.
In British English, it is pronounced /ˈsplɛndə/, with a non-rhotic ending.
Magnificent and splendid appearance.
Splendour is usually formal, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in all its splendour”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'splendid', which means excellent, and 'splendour' is the noun form meaning the quality of being splendid.
Conceptual Metaphor
Splendour is often metaphorically associated with light (e.g., brilliance), wealth, and royal or divine attributes.
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is correct in American English?