# Magna

/ˈmæɡnə/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/magna
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

great or large. It is a Latin word that you usually see as part of a title or a formal name.

For teachers: denoting greatness in size, importance, or rank. Borrowed from Latin, it typically appears as a component of fixed historical or academic titles.

## Examples

- The Magna Carta is a famous historical document.
- She graduated magna cum laude from the university, which is a very high honor.
- The term appears in the Magna Carta, the 'Great Charter' of liberties that significantly influenced the development of constitutional law in the English-speaking world.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as part of a proper noun or a fixed Latin phrase; rarely used as a standalone adjective in modern English prose.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.