Definition of 'sublime'

Word Frequency

sublime

(səblaɪm )

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.

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.

sublimely adverb [usually ADVERB adjective]

...the most sublimely beautiful of all living things.

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

sublimely adverb [usually ADVERB adjective]

Mrs Trollope was sublimely uninterested in what she herself wore.

Word Frequency

sublime in British

(səˈblaɪm )

adjective

of high moral, aesthetic, intellectual, or spiritual value; noble; exalted

inspiring deep veneration, awe, or uplifting emotion because of its beauty, nobility, grandeur, or immensity

unparalleled; supreme

a sublime compliment

4. poetic

of proud bearing or aspect

5. archaic

raised up

noun

the sublime

something that is sublime

the ultimate degree or perfect example

the sublime of folly

verb

8. (transitive)

to make higher or purer

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 of 'sublime'

C14: from Latin sublīmis lofty, perhaps from sub- up to + līmen lintel

Word Frequency

sublime in American

(səˈblaɪm ; səblīmˈ)

adjective

noble; exalted; majestic

inspiring awe or admiration through grandeur, beauty, etc.

3. Informal

outstandingly or supremely such

a man of sublime taste

4. Archaic

elated; joyful

proud; lofty; haughty

upraised; aloft

verb transitiveWord forms: subˈlimed or subˈliming

to make sublime

sublimate (sense 1)

verb intransitive

sublimate

Idioms:

the sublime

Derived forms

sublimely (subˈlimely)

adverb

sublimeness (subˈlimeness)

noun

Word origin of 'sublime'

L sublimus < sub-, up to + limen, lintel (hence, orig. up to the lintel): see limen

Example sentences containing 'sublime'

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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 one step above the ridiculous, makes the sublime againThomas Paine The Age of Reason

Trends of 'sublime'

In Common Usage. sublime is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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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.

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
Spanish: sublime

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Nearby words of 'sublime'

Related Terms of 'sublime'

Source

Definition of sublime from the Collins English Dictionary

Tense

Time reference Verb forms help us make time reference through their tense. Tense shows whether an action or a state took place in the past or takes place in the present. Jessica works in the pos...