Definition of 'sublime'
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
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.
You can refer to sublime things as the sublime.
She elevated every rare small success to the sublime.
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.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
adjective
2.
noun
verb
9.
to sublime iodine
many mercury salts sublime when heated
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'sublime'
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
verb intransitive
7.
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
adverb
sublimeness (subˈlimeness)
noun
Word origin of 'sublime'
Example sentences containing 'sublime'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
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)
Trends of 'sublime'
In Common Usage. sublime is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
View usage for:
Translations for '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.
Nearby words of 'sublime'
Related Terms of 'sublime'
Source
Definition of sublime from the
Collins English Dictionary
New collocations added to dictionary
Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for your speech and writing.
Read more
Unlock language with the Paul Noble method
No books. No rote memorization. No chance of failure. Your chance to have a one-to-one lesson with best-selling language expert Paul Noble, try a FREE audio sample of his brand new Mandarin Chinese course.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
13th edition of the Collins Dictionary out now!
Updated with all the very latest new words and senses, this new 13th edition is an unparalleled resource for word lovers, word gamers, and word geeks everywhere.
#homeoflivingenglish
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more