Words / C2

ri-SPLEND-uh-nt/rɪˈsplendənt/

Resplendent means brilliantly impressive to look at (literary / often wry): resplendent in a gown, resplendent lanyards. Splendid is everyday and warmer; sartorial (already in the dictionary) is of clothes and tailoring, not of blaze. A paean (already in the dictionary) is praise in words, not in fabric. Do not staff an empty chair with shine.

Meaning

Brilliantly impressive in appearance (literary / often wry).

Examples

• “Resplendent lanyards do not staff an empty invigilator chair.”
• “Splendid is everyday. Dazzling is the gloss. Sartorial is of cut and dress (already in C2). A well-made badge can be exact. A ribbon that never names the night person is theatre. Fill the rota; then the lanyard may gleam.”

Good to know

Dazzlingly splendid (literary). Everyday: splendid / dazzling. Contrast: sartorial (of tailoring — already in C2). Shine ≠ a seated invigilator.

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