First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
gorgeous
adjective gor·geous \ˈgȯr-jəs\
: very beautiful or attractive
: very enjoyable or pleasant
Full Definition of GORGEOUS
See gorgeous defined for English-language learners
See gorgeous defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of GORGEOUS
- The difference in appearance can be dramatic, as I saw on a visit to the small, modern factory where Pineider prints its stationery, in a gorgeous part of Tuscany near Florence and bordering Chianti. —Corby Kummer, Atlantic, May 2001
- In the Arlberg … my wife and I were taken to the most perfect dinner by an elderly Viennese couple and their gorgeous young daughter, whom we had met in Washington. —Geoffrey Wolff, Granta, Autumn 1990
- Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes. —L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900
- [+]more
Origin of GORGEOUS
Middle English gorgeouse, from Middle French gorgias elegant, perhaps from gorgias wimple, from gorge throat
Related to GORGEOUS
- Synonyms
- aesthetic (also esthetic or aesthetical or esthetical), attractive, beauteous, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], comely, cute, drop-dead, fair, fetching, good, good-looking, goodly, beautiful, handsome, knockout, likely, lovely, lovesome, pretty, ravishing, seemly, sightly, stunning, taking, well-favored
- Antonyms
- grotesque, hideous, homely, ill-favored, plain, ugly, unaesthetic, unattractive, unbeautiful, uncomely, uncute, unhandsome, unlovely, unpleasing, unpretty, unsightly
Synonym Discussion of GORGEOUS
splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive. splendid implies outshining the usual or customary <the wedding was a splendid occasion>. resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor <resplendent in her jewelry>. gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color <a gorgeous red dress>. glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction <a glorious sunset>. sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension <a vision of sublime beauty>. superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree <her singing was superb>.
GORGEOUS Defined for Kids
gorgeous
adjective gor·geous \ˈgȯr-jəs\
Definition of GORGEOUS for Kids
: very beautiful
— gor·geous·ly adverb
— gor·geous·ness noun
Learn More About GORGEOUS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: gorgerinPrevious Word in the Dictionary: gorge hookAll Words Near: gorgeous
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up gorgeous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).