gorgeous
- 01 B1 Intermediate
extremely beautiful or attractive to look at.
characterised by striking beauty or physical attractiveness. Often used as a high-intensity synonym for 'pretty' or 'handsome'.
Simple“You look gorgeous in that red dress you bought for the wedding.”
In context“The bride looked absolutely gorgeous as she walked down the aisle, her lace veil catching the soft morning light.”
PitfallThe weather is very gorgeous today. The weather is absolutely gorgeous today.Since 'gorgeous' is a non-gradable (extreme) adjective, use 'absolutely' or 'completely' instead of 'very'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
very enjoyable or pleasant, often used to describe weather or food.
highly enjoyable or satisfying in a sensory or experiential way. Frequently collocates with 'weather', 'meal', or 'day'.
Simple“We had a gorgeous dinner at that new Italian restaurant by the park.”
In context“After a week of heavy rain, the weekend brought gorgeous sunshine that encouraged everyone to head to the coast.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
having rich, bright colours or expensive decorations.
characterised by magnificent or sumptuously ornate decoration. This sense leans toward the word's etymological roots in luxury and display.
Simple“The palace rooms were filled with gorgeous silk tapestries and gold statues.”
In context“The cathedral was adorned with gorgeous frescoes that depicted the history of the city in vibrant, gilded detail.”
Synonyms
“The young mum spent nine months with her baby - a beautiful boy with "gorgeous wee black hair" - before he was taken from her.”
“The electronic gates slide open to reveal a gorgeous Portuguese villa, a swimming pool and a beansprout of a man.”
From Middle English gorgeouse, a borrowing from Middle French gorgias (“elegant, fashionable”), from Old French gourgias, gorgias (“gorgeous, gaudy, flaunting, gallant, fine”), of uncertain origin, but apparently connected with Old French gorgias (“a gorget, ruffle for the neck”), from Old French gorge (“bosom, throat”). See gorge. Semantic evolution probably akin to "swelling of the throat or bosom due to pride, bridling up" to "assume an air of importance, flaunting".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.