If you describe something as sublime, you mean that it has a wonderful quality that affects you deeply.
[literary, approval]
Sublime music floats on a scented summer breeze to the spot where you lie.
...the sublime beauty of nature.
Synonyms: noble, magnificent, glorious, high More Synonyms of sublime
You can refer to sublime things as the sublime.
She elevated every rare small success to the sublime.
sublimelyadverb [usually ADVERB adjective]
...the most sublimely beautiful of all living things.
See from the sublime to the ridiculous
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use sublime to emphasize a quality that someone or something has, usually a quality that is undesirable or negative.
[formal, or literary, emphasis]
The administration's sublime incompetence is probably temporary.
He displayed a sublime indifference to the distinction between right and wrong.
Synonyms: total, complete, utter, supreme More Synonyms of sublime
sublimelyadverb [usually ADVERB adjective]
Mrs Trollope was sublimely uninterested in what she herself wore.
sublime in British English
(səˈblaɪm)
adjective
1.
of high moral, aesthetic, intellectual, or spiritual value; noble; exalted
2.
inspiring deep veneration, awe, or uplifting emotion because of its beauty, nobility, grandeur, or immensity
3.
unparalleled; supreme
a sublime compliment
4. poetic
of proud bearing or aspect
5. archaic
raised up
noun
the sublime
6.
something that is sublime
7.
the ultimate degree or perfect example
the sublime of folly
verb
8. (transitive)
to make higher or purer
9.
to change or cause to change directly from a solid to a vapour or gas without first melting
to sublime iodine
many mercury salts sublime when heated
10.
to undergo or cause to undergo this process followed by a reverse change directly from a vapour to a solid
to sublime iodine onto glass
Derived forms
sublimely (subˈlimely)
adverb
sublimity (səˈblɪmɪtɪ)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin sublīmis lofty, perhaps from sub- up to + līmen lintel
sublime in American English
(səˈblaɪm)
adjective
1.
noble; exalted; majestic
2.
inspiring awe or admiration through grandeur, beauty, etc.
3. Informal
outstandingly or supremely such
a man of sublime taste
4. Archaic
a.
elated; joyful
b.
proud; lofty; haughty
c.
upraised; aloft
verb transitiveWord forms: subˈlimed or subˈliming
5.
to make sublime
6.
sublimate (sense 1)
verb intransitive
7.
sublimate
Idioms:
the sublime
Derived forms
sublimely (subˈlimely)
adverb
sublimeness (subˈlimeness)
noun
Word origin
L sublimus < sub-, up to + limen, lintel (hence, orig. up to the lintel): see limen
Examples of 'sublime' in a sentence
sublime
Drift away to this sublime and beautiful track.
The Sun (2006)
There have been many sublime moments during a season now drawing to its close.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You go from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Showed some sublime touches in striker role.
The Sun (2013)
They do not take his sublime skills for granted on the training pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They go from the sublime to the ridiculous with their cricket.
The Sun (2015)
She moves beautifully and has a sublime touch anywhere she happens to be on the court.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Only then can the process hope to rival the sometimes sublime skill shown on the pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The things we tasted went from the sublime to the ridiculous to the outstanding to the disgusting.
The Sun (2014)
In training his finishing is sublime.
The Sun (2014)
Undoubtedly, for his moments of sublime musical beauty few can beat him.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Together they make booze so sublime that angels weep and Europeans tremble.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It goes from slow, puzzling beginnings to something sublime.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It's rare to see a derby with such sublime finishes.
The Sun (2013)
There are impenetrable walls of sound and moments of simple, sublime beauty.
The Sun (2008)
The 21 rooms hold antiques and many have sublime forest views.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Renaissance and Baroque music in sublime building.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He's got sublime taste in music.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
His finish was just sublime.
The Sun (2008)
A few tricks and sublime passes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If you've not yet switched on to this sublime show, make sure you do.
The Sun (2010)
In the 70th minute, came something sublime.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Quotations
It is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculousNapoleon Bonaparte
The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime, makes the ridiculous; and onestep above the ridiculous, makes the sublime againThomas PaineThe Age of Reason
In other languages
sublime
British English: sublime ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as sublime, you mean that it has a wonderful quality that affects you deeply.
Sublime music floats on a scented summer breeze to the spot where you lie.
American English: sublime
Brazilian Portuguese: sublime
Chinese: 绝妙的
European Spanish: sublime
French: sublime
German: erhaben
Italian: sublime
Japanese: 崇高な
Korean: 숭고한
European Portuguese: sublime
Latin American Spanish: sublime
1 (adjective)
Definition
of great moral, artistic, or spiritual value
the sublime beauty of nature
Synonyms
noble
Although he was of noble birth he lived as a poor man.
magnificent
a magnificent country house in wooded grounds
glorious
He had a glorious career spanning more than six decades.
high
Every one of them is controlled by the families of high officials.
great
grand
a grand building in the centre of town
imposing
An imposing figure loomed over me.
elevated
the magazine's elevated tone
eminent
an eminent public figure
majestic
a majestic country home
lofty
Amid the chaos, he had lofty aims.
exalted
I seldom move in such exalted circles.
transcendent
Opposites
ordinary
,
commonplace
,
mundane
,
bad
,
poor
,
ridiculous
,
lowly
2 (adjective)
Definition
without equal
The administration's sublime incompetence is probably temporary.
Synonyms
total
The car was in a total mess.
I mean I'm not a total idiot.
complete
He made me look like a complete idiot.
utter
A look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.
supreme
Many young men made the supreme sacrifice during that war.
extreme
people living in extreme poverty
consummate
He was a consummate liar and exaggerator.
Quotations
It is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous [Napoleon Bonaparte]The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime, makes the ridiculous; and one step above the ridiculous, makes the sublime again [Thomas Paine – The Age of Reason]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of complete
Definition
perfect in quality or kind
He made me look like a complete idiot.
Synonyms
total,
perfect,
absolute,
utter,
outright,
thorough,
consummate,
out-and-out,
unmitigated,
dyed-in-the-wool,
thoroughgoing,
deep-dyed
in the sense of consummate
Definition
complete or extreme
He was a consummate liar and exaggerator.
Synonyms
complete,
total,
supreme,
extreme,
ultimate,
absolute,
utter,
conspicuous,
unqualified,
deep-dyed
in the sense of elevated
Definition
(of ideas or pursuits) on a high intellectual or moral level
the magazine's elevated tone
Synonyms
high-minded,
high,
fine,
grand,
noble,
inflated,
dignified,
sublime,
lofty,
high-flown,
pompous,
exalted,
bombastic
Nearby words of
sublime
subjective
subjugate
sublimate
sublime
subliminal
submerge
submerged
Synonyms of 'sublime'
sublime
Explore 'sublime' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of eminent
Definition
well-known and well-respected
an eminent public figure
Synonyms
prominent,
high,
great,
important,
noted,
respected,
grand,
famous,
celebrated,
outstanding,
distinguished,
well-known,
superior,
esteemed,
notable,
renowned,
prestigious,
elevated,
paramount,
big-time (informal),
foremost,
high-ranking,
conspicuous,
illustrious,
major league (informal),
exalted,
noteworthy,
pre-eminent
in the sense of exalted
I seldom move in such exalted circles.
Synonyms
high-ranking,
high,
grand,
honoured,
intellectual,
noble,
prestigious,
august,
elevated,
eminent,
dignified,
lofty
in the sense of extreme
Definition
of a high or the highest degree or intensity
people living in extreme poverty
Synonyms
great,
high,
highest,
greatest,
worst,
supreme,
acute,
severe,
maximum,
intense,
ultimate,
utmost,
mother of all (informal),
uttermost
in the sense of glorious
Definition
having or full of glory
He had a glorious career spanning more than six decades.
Synonyms
illustrious,
famous,
celebrated,
distinguished,
noted,
grand,
excellent,
honoured,
magnificent,
noble,
renowned,
elevated,
eminent,
triumphant,
majestic,
famed,
sublime
in the sense of grand
Definition
large or impressive in size or appearance
a grand building in the centre of town
Synonyms
impressive,
great,
large,
magnificent,
striking,
fine,
princely,
imposing,
superb,
glorious,
noble,
splendid,
gorgeous,
luxurious,
eminent,
majestic,
regal,
stately,
monumental,
sublime,
sumptuous,
grandiose,
opulent,
palatial,
ostentatious,
splendiferous (facetious)
in the sense of great
Synonyms
noble,
fine,
august,
grand,
princely,
impressive,
distinguished,
glorious,
heroic,
dignified,
sublime,
lofty,
idealistic,
exalted,
high-minded,
magnanimous,
chivalrous,
GR8
in the sense of high
Definition
towards the top of a scale of importance or quality
Every one of them is controlled by the families of high officials.
Synonyms
important,
leading,
ruling,
chief,
powerful,
significant,
distinguished,
prominent,
superior,
influential,
notable,
big-time (informal),
eminent,
major league (informal),
exalted,
consequential,
skookum (Canadian)
in the sense of imposing
Definition
grand or impressive
An imposing figure loomed over me.
Synonyms
impressive,
striking,
grand,
august,
powerful,
effective,
commanding,
awesome,
majestic,
dignified,
stately,
forcible
in the sense of lofty
Definition
morally admirable
Amid the chaos, he had lofty aims.
Synonyms
noble,
grand,
distinguished,
superior,
imposing,
renowned,
elevated,
majestic,
dignified,
stately,
sublime,
illustrious,
exalted
in the sense of magnificent
Definition
splendid or impressive in appearance
a magnificent country house in wooded grounds
Synonyms
splendid,
striking,
grand,
impressive,
august,
rich,
princely,
imposing,
elegant,
divine (informal),
glorious,
noble,
gorgeous,
lavish,
elevated,
luxurious,
majestic,
regal,
stately,
sublime,
sumptuous,
grandiose,
exalted,
opulent,
transcendent,
resplendent,
splendiferous (facetious)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of majestic
Definition
beautiful, dignified, and impressive
a majestic country home
Synonyms
grand,
magnificent,
impressive,
superb,
kingly,
royal,
august,
princely,
imposing,
imperial,
noble,
splendid,
elevated,
awesome,
dignified,
regal,
stately,
monumental,
sublime,
lofty,
pompous,
grandiose,
exalted,
splendiferous (facetious)
in the sense of supreme
Definition
greatest in degree
Many young men made the supreme sacrifice during that war.
Synonyms
ultimate,
highest,
greatest,
utmost,
final,
crowning,
extreme,
culminating
in the sense of utter
Definition
total or absolute
A look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.