Munificent
Word of the Day
What is Munificent?
adjective
Extremely generous; giving more than is usual or necessary.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to spotlight the rare virtue of boundless giving.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The artist thrived under a munificent patron.
Her munificent spirit made her beloved.
They received a munificent inheritance.
Word Origins
Latin munificentia “bountifulness”
From munus “gift, service.”
First appearance in English: late 16th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
His munificence funded the hospital.
-
Adjective:
She was known as generous.
-
Adjective:
His magnanimous act surprised all.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: munífico
- French: munificent
- German: freigebig
- Italian: munifico
- Portuguese: munificente
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Generous
Everyday word; munificent is rare and lofty.
Magnanimous
Magnanimous means forgiving; munificent means lavish giving.
Bountiful
Bountiful implies abundance; munificent implies scale.
Fun Facts
- Munificent is rarer than “generous,” but considered more elegant.
- “Munus” also gives us “municipal” (public duty).
Cultural Usage
- Munificent benefactors appear in Dickens’s novels.
- Renaissance princes were praised for munificent gifts.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes confused with “magnificent”; munificent stresses generosity.
Micro Story
The munificent donation built a new library.