Espléndido

Espléndido is a Spanish adjective meaning splendid, magnificent, or impressive. It describes something remarkable in appearance, quality, or effect, such as a landscape, a building, a performance, or a color. The term carries a positive, admiring connotation and is suitable for formal and everyday contexts. It agrees with gender and number: espléndido, espléndida, espléndidos, espléndidas. The adverbial form is espléndidamente.

Etymology and cognates: Espléndido comes from Latin splendidus, derived from splendere “to shine.” It entered Spanish through Latin and Romance language developments, and has cognates in other languages, such as English splendid and French splendide, reflecting a shared root related to brightness.

Usage and nuance: Espléndido often emphasizes visual brilliance or overall impressiveness. It can describe tangible objects, scenes, performances, or abstract ideas when their quality is striking. While generally formal or elevated, it is common in journalism, literature, travel writing, and promotional language. It can appear in phrases like un paisaje espléndido, una actuación espléndida, or un vestido espléndido. Note that there is stylistic flexibility to describe both concrete beauty and high quality in a given context.

Synonyms and contrasts: Related terms include magnífico, grandioso, impresionante, and bello; espléndido may carry a stronger emphasis on brilliance and splendor. Its opposite would be terms like feo, pobre, mediocre, depending on context.