Magnanimous

Definition

Very generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful.

Beyond the definition

Magnanimous describes the grace of giving — not just money, but forgiveness, credit, and consideration — without being asked and without expecting anything in return. It's one of the noblest words in the language.

Origin & history

From Latin magnus 'great' + animus 'mind, spirit.' Literally: great-souled.

Example sentences

Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.

The champion was magnanimous in victory, praising her opponent's performance.

His magnanimous offer to cover the costs took everyone by surprise.

It was magnanimous of her to forgive a mistake that had cost her so much.

How to use it

This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.

Choose “Magnanimous” when the meaning fits your context: Very generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful.

Synonyms

generous, noble, gracious, benevolent, forgiving

Antonyms

petty, small-minded, vindictive, selfish

Related words

• gracious
• beneficent
• largesse
• altruistic

Magnanimous vs generous

Generous means giving freely — time, money, credit, praise. Magnanimous is a more elevated quality: noble-generous, especially toward a rival or someone who wronged you. The magnanimous gesture is remarkable precisely because it would have been understandable not to make it. You can be generous with a friend; magnanimity is what you show to an adversary.

Word in the Wild

Illustrative story: an imagined scene, not a documented event or interview.

He had been passed over for the promotion he deserved, given to someone with half his record. The company expected bitterness. Instead, at the announcement, he stood up and said — genuinely — that he thought they'd made a good choice and offered his full support.

It wasn't performance. It was harder than that: a deliberate decision to be larger than the injury.

The colleague who'd been given the promotion came to him privately the next day. "That was extraordinary," he said. He didn't mean the speech.

Questions about this word

What does "Magnanimous" mean?

Magnanimous is adjective meaning: Generous in spirit, especially when you didn't have to be.. Very generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful.

Which words express “knowing exactly how to handle any situation”?

Magnanimous — Generous in spirit, especially when you didn't have to be.

Where does the word "Magnanimous" come from?

From Latin magnus 'great' + animus 'mind, spirit.' Literally: great-souled.