Words / C2

myoo-NIF-isnt/mjuːˈnɪfɪsnt/

Munificent means very generous with money or gifts: a munificent donor, a munificent gift. Generous is everyday; lavish is close; bountiful is a literary cousin. Munificence is the noun. Formal, slightly old-fashioned praise. In speech, extremely generous is enough. Munificent is scale — a library wing, not a biscuit. Do not use it ironically for a tiny concession unless you want the irony to show.

Meaning

Very generous with money or gifts (formal).

Examples

• “A munificent donor paid for the library.”
• “A munificent donor paid for the library and asked for no brass plaque.”
• “Munificent in public, he was exacting about every line of the accounts.”

Good to know

Extremely generous (formal). Everyday: extremely generous. Close: lavish. Noun: munificence. Scale of gifts, not a small courtesy. Slightly old-fashioned.

Near in meaning

lavish

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