spectacular Hear it!

spectacular Definition

spec·tacu·lar (spek tak′yə lər)

adjective

  1. of or like a spectacle, or show
  2. unusual to a striking degree; characterized by a great display, as of daring

Etymology: < L spectaculum (see spectacle) + -ar

noun

an elaborate show or display

spectacular Related Forms
spec·tac′u·larly adverb
spectacular Synonyms

spectacular

modif.

striking, magnificent, dramatic, panoramic; see sensational 1, thrilling.

spectacular Synonyms

spectacular

n.

play, movie, production; see drama 1, show 2.

spectacular Usage Examples

Preposition: at

  • night: These look particularly spectacular at night, as the cubes are positioned over a large expanse of water.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • do: Season 1 Monk An amiable series that doesn't really do anything spectacular but makes for some pleasant sunday evening watching.
  • make: All retailers in Penzance are urged to help make this event really spectacular.

Modifies a noun

  • scenery: To the left is the view we get most days of the spectacular mountain scenery.
  • view: Repton's spectacular views of the lake from the house will also be restored.
  • sunset: Spend the day at Sandals Negril then watch the spectacular sunset from the Rick's Cafe in the West End.
  • coastline: A range of varied walks can be taken along spectacular coastlines in the immediate vicinity.
  • waterfall: Within the grounds there is a river gorge with its own spectacular waterfalls.
  • cliff: The fabulous sandy beaches, with spectacular sandstone cliffs to the west, cover the length of the Algarve.

Modifying Another Word

  • truly: Home to some truly spectacular peaks, they are renowned throughout Europe to the climbing fraternity.
  • visually: Adaptability and flexibility are key to these visually spectacular titles.
  • equally: The expedition visits two distinct and equally spectacular regions of Bulgaria.
  • quite: To prioritize the feelings of the guinea pigs is to assert a quite spectacular failure of the human imagination.
  • pretty: Flying across London on the way to Heathrow is pretty spectacular.
  • utterly: And as he was anticipating, when he finally slogged his way to the end of the climb, the views were utterly spectacular.

Infinitive complement

  • watch: Tornadoes are spectacular to watch, but their destructive power is immense.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: Due to the lovely warm weather we have been enjoying, they are looking spectacular.
  • describe: The Java Sparrow, in my opinion, can only be described as spectacular.
  • provide: It aims to produce theater with the power to transform a child's understanding of the world around them and provide spectacular learning opportunities.

Preposition: in

  • world: The views are among some of the most spectacular in the world.
spectacular Quotes

The most beautiful sight in orbit†is a urine dump at sunset, because as the stuff comes out and as it hits the exit nozzle it instantly flashes into ten million little ice crystals whichgo out almost ina hemisphere† It'sreally a spectacular sight.

—Schweikart, Russell