Word
magnanimous
Phoneticsmag·nan·i·mous, stress on the second syllable
US/mæɡˈnænəməs/
UK/mæɡnˈænɪməs/
Definition
adj. very generous and kind, especially when you have power or have won. You forgive people and share freely instead of holding a grudge.
adj. generous and forgiving in spirit, especially toward a rival or someone in a weaker position. Often implies nobility of motive rather than mere liberality with money.
Examples
“She gives a magnanimous smile and forgives the mistake.”
“After winning the final, the champion gave a magnanimous speech praising her opponent's effort.”
“Despite years of bitter rivalry, his magnanimous decision to share the prize money revealed a generosity that surprised even his closest friends.”
Examples
simple
“She gives a magnanimous smile and forgives the mistake.”
contextual
“After winning the final, the champion gave a magnanimous speech praising her opponent's effort.”
complex
“Despite years of bitter rivalry, his magnanimous decision to share the prize money revealed a generosity that surprised even his closest friends.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “magnanimous” in context.
Verb
01. appear magnanimous
“The company tried to appear magnanimous by waiving fees after the outage.”
verb + adj
02. magnanimous in defeat
“She was magnanimous in defeat, thanking supporters and accepting the result gracefully.”
adj + prep + noun
03. magnanimous in victory
“Great leaders are magnanimous in victory and never humiliate the loser.”
adj + prep + noun
04. magnanimous towards opponent
“He was magnanimous towards his opponent, offering help with the transition.”
adj + prep + noun
Adjective
05. characteristically magnanimous
“In a characteristically magnanimous move, he donated his entire prize money.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. magnanimous act
“Forgiving the debt was a magnanimous act that surprised many critics.”
adj + noun
07. magnanimous gesture
“Releasing the prisoners was seen as a magnanimous gesture by the new government.”
adj + noun
08. magnanimous leader
“History remembers him as a magnanimous leader who pardoned his enemies.”
adj + noun
09. magnanimous offer
“She made a magnanimous offer to share the award with her co-workers.”
adj + noun
10. a magnanimous act of forgiveness
“Freeing his captors was a magnanimous act of forgiveness.”
11. magnanimous in victory and defeat
“A true sportsman remains magnanimous in victory and defeat alike.”
12. make a magnanimous gesture
“The president made a magnanimous gesture by pardoning political prisoners.”
Usage
Typically describes a person or an action such as a gesture, decision, or victory.
Real-World Examples
“In an era that has not been particularly distinguished by generosity, Maginot was indeed magnanimous.” Etymology
From Latin magnanimus, from magnus (“great”) + animus (“soul, mind”). Displaced native Old English miċelmōd (literally “big-minded”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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