magnanimous
/mæɡˈnæn.ɪ.məs/Showing great generosity of spirit, especially toward someone who has wronged you or someone less powerful. A magnanimous person acts with noble kindness even when they don't have to. The word suggests moral greatness, not just politeness.
- After winning, she was magnanimous and praised her defeated rival warmly.
- It was magnanimous of him to forgive the colleague who had betrayed him.
- The company made a magnanimous offer to settle without going to court.
Adinary Nuance
Magnanimous is often confused with generous and forgiving, but it sits above both in moral weight. Generous is about giving things — money, time, gifts; magnanimous is about giving grace — it implies you had the power or right to punish, and chose nobility instead. Forgiving simply means letting go of a wrong, but magnanimous adds dignity and warmth to that act. You might call a friend generous for splitting a bill, but you would call a leader magnanimous for showing kindness to a political opponent after a hard-fought win — the context of power and restraint is key.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- rộng lượng
- Spanish
- magnánimo
- Chinese
- 宽宏大量
- Japanese
- 寛容な
- Korean
- 관대한
Etymology
From Latin "magnanimus," combining "magnus" (great) and "animus" (soul or spirit), literally meaning "great-souled." The word entered English in the 16th century and has always carried a sense of elevated moral character.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'magnanimous' a formal word?
- Yes, it leans formal and literary. You'll see it most in writing, speeches, and academic contexts. In everyday conversation, people usually say 'gracious' or 'big of him/her' instead.
- What is the difference between 'magnanimous' and 'generous'?
- 'Generous' is about giving things like money or time. 'Magnanimous' is about giving grace — showing noble kindness especially when you have power over someone. A generous person donates; a magnanimous person forgives a rival with dignity.
- What is the noun form of 'magnanimous'?
- The noun form is 'magnanimity' (e.g., 'He showed great magnanimity in defeat'). It is also formal and literary in register.
- Can I use 'magnanimous' for small, everyday kindness?
- Not naturally. The word implies a grand or morally significant act — like forgiving an enemy or showing grace after a public win. For everyday kindness, 'generous' or 'kind' sounds more natural.