Glory — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb interjection /ˈglȯr-ē/ glo·ry

Meaning & Definition of Glory

Glory (noun)

  1. praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent, renown
  2. worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving
  3. something that secures praise or renown

Glory (verb)

  1. to rejoice proudly —used with in

Glory (interjection)

  1. —used to express surprise or delight

Glory (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. public acknowledgment or admiration for an achievement

    "the theater director gave the stage crew all the glory for the successful production"

    similar: acclaim, accolade, applause, bay(s), credit, distinction, homage, honor, kudos, laud, laurels, props (slang), réclame, sun
    related: celebrity, fame, renown, repute, compliment, encomium, eulogy, panegyric, toast, tribute, acclamation, ovation, plaudit, praise, rave, rhapsody, citation, commendation, kudo, note, recommendation, elevation, enshrinement, enthronement, exaltation, glorification

  2. an asset that brings praise or renown

    "the new art museum has become the glory of the college campus"

    similar: boast, credit, crown jewel, honor, jewel, pride, treasure, trophy, a feather in one's cap
    related: pièce de résistance, showpiece, attraction, feature, highlight, distinction, excellence, merit, value, virtue
    near: disgrace, dishonor, blemish, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma, eyesore, fright, horror, mess

  3. impressiveness of beauty on a large scale

    "was overwhelmed by the imperial glory of Rome"

    similar: augustness, brilliance, gloriousness, gorgeousness, grandeur, grandness, magnificence, majesty, nobility, nobleness, resplendence, resplendency, splendidness, splendiferousness, splendor, stateliness, stupendousness, sublimeness, superbness
    related: awesomeness, formidability, marvelousness, wonderfulness, wondrousness, dignity, elegance, grace, lavishness, luxuriance, luxuriousness, luxury, opulence, princeliness, richness, sumptuousness, grandiosity, ostentation, pretentiousness, elaborateness, flashiness, gaudiness, ornateness, poshness, ritziness, showiness, swankiness, extraordinariness, remarkableness

  4. an artistic rendering of radiant light around the head or body of a sacred personage

    "an altarpiece depicting God seated on His throne and bathed in celestial glory"

    similar: aureole, halo, nimbus
    related: starburst, sunburst, aura, corona

Glory (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to feel or express joy or triumph

    "the whole city gloried in the home team's winning of the World Series"

    similar: crow, delight, exuberate, exult, joy, jubilate, kvell, rejoice, triumph, kick up one's heels
    related: gloat, preen, swell, boast, brag, flaunt, parade, show off, strut, swagger
    near: bemoan, bewail, grieve, lament, regret, weep

Glory (interjection) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. how delightful

    "glory! I thought I'd never see this day come"

    similar: ha, hallelujah, hey, hooray, hot dog, huzzah, wahoo (chiefly West), whee, whoopee, yahoo, yippee
    related: wow, zowie, ooh, gee, gee whiz, gosh
    near: alack, alas, aw, boo

Related Entry: Glory (in) (verb)

Glory (in) is a different word from Glory. The synonyms below are for glory (in), not for glory.

  1. as in delight, rejoice (in)

    similar: delight, exult (in), joy, rejoice (in), beam, cheer, grin, laugh, smile
    opposite: bemoan, bewail, deplore, grieve (for), lament, mourn, wail (for), elegize, cry (for), keen, moan, weep

Related Entry: Self-glory (noun)

Self-glory is a different word from Glory. The synonyms below are for self-glory, not for glory.

  1. an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements

    "the movie star's memoirs come across as being one unending exercise in self-glory"

    similar: amour propre, bighead, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egotism, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-esteem, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, swellheadedness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity
    related: assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-righteousness, arrogance, disdainfulness, haughtiness, imperiousness, lordliness, self-assertion, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority, hubris, overconfidence, presumption, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness, egoism, self-centeredness, selfishness, self-pride, self-respect
    opposite: humbleness, humility, modesty
    near: diffidence, self-doubt, self-disgust, self-hate, self-loathing, altruism, unselfishness, bashfulness, demureness, shyness, timidity, timidness, passiveness, passivity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Glory

The most common words with a similar meaning to Glory:

Slang: props
Chiefly West: wahoo
acclaim, accolade, applause, bay(s), credit, distinction, homage, honor, kudos, laud, laurels, réclame, sun, boast, crown jewel, jewel, pride, treasure, trophy, augustness, brilliance, gloriousness, gorgeousness, grandeur, grandness, magnificence, majesty, nobility, nobleness, resplendence, resplendency, splendidness, splendiferousness, splendor, stateliness, stupendousness, sublimeness, superbness, aureole, halo

Related Words for Glory

celebrity, fame, renown, repute, compliment, encomium, eulogy, panegyric, toast, tribute, acclamation, ovation, plaudit, praise, rave, rhapsody, citation, commendation, kudo, note, recommendation, elevation, enshrinement, enthronement, exaltation, glorification, pièce de résistance, showpiece, attraction, feature

Near Antonyms of Glory

disgrace, dishonor, blemish, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma, eyesore, fright, horror, mess, bemoan, bewail, grieve, lament, regret, weep, alack, alas, aw, boo

Word Forms of Glory

Inflections: glories, gloried, glorying

Origin & Etymology of Glory

Middle English glorie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin gloria

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Glory

Words & Phrases Containing Glory

glory-of-the-snow, glory days/years, glory in, morning glory, Old Glory, self-glory, bask in the glory

Frequently Asked Questions about Glory

What does "Glory" mean?

"Glory" means praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent, renown. As an a noun, a verb and an interjection, it is defined as: praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent, renown. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Glory"?

Other words for "Glory" include acclaim, accolade, applause, bay(s), credit, distinction, homage and honor. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Glory" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Glory"?

There are 147 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Glory". Common alternatives include acclaim, accolade, applause, bay(s), credit, distinction, homage, honor, kudos and laud.

How do you use "Glory" in a sentence?

Examples of "Glory" in a sentence: "the theater director gave the stage crew all the glory for the successful production"; "the new art museum has become the glory of the college campus"; "was overwhelmed by the imperial glory of Rome".

Is "Glory" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Glory" can be used as a noun, a verb and an interjection, depending on the context.

Is "Glory" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Glory" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Glory"?

"Glory" is pronounced /ˈglȯr-ē/ and divided into syllables as glo·ry.

What is the origin of the word "Glory"?

"Glory" comes from Middle English glorie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin gloria. First known use: 14th century.