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sublime

/səˈblaɪm/
/səˈblaɪm/
IPA guide

Other forms: sublimest; sublimer; sublimed; sublimes; subliming

In common use, sublime is an adjective meaning "awe-inspiringly grand, excellent, or impressive," like the best chocolate fudge sundae you've ever had.

You might describe a spine-tingling piece of music as "a work of sublime beauty." With the, the word also functions as a noun meaning "something that strikes the mind with a sense of grandeur or power": "Never need an American look beyond his own country for the sublime and beautiful of natural scenery," wrote Washington Irving. The beauty of music or nature can be awe-inspiring, but sublime is also useful for describing everything from an impressive serve in tennis to a jaw-droppingly good taste sensation.

Definitions of sublime
  1. adjective
    of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
    noble
    having or showing or indicative of high or elevated character
  2. adjective
    worthy of adoration or reverence
    synonyms: reverend
    sacred
    concerned with religion or religious purposes
  3. adjective
    inspiring awe
    “the sublime beauty of the night”
    synonyms: empyreal, empyrean
    glorious
    having or deserving or conferring glory
  4. adjective
    lifted up or set high
    “"their hearts were jocund and sublime"- Milton”
    synonyms:
    elated, giddy
    exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
  5. verb
    change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting
    sublime iodine”
    “some salts sublime when heated”
    synonyms: sublimate
    see moresee less
    type of:
    aerify, gasify, vaporise, vaporize
    turn into gas
  6. verb
    vaporize and then condense right back again
    synonyms: sublimate
    see moresee less
    types:
    resublime
    sublime (a compound) once again
    type of:
    change
    undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
Pronunciation
US
/səˈblaɪm/
UK
/səˈblaɪm/
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