What does gorgeous mean?
Gorgeous is an emphatic adjective meaning exceptionally beautiful, attractive, or delightful to look at, hear, or experience. It is used for people’s appearance, clothing, landscapes, weather, architecture, food, and other things that produce a strong impression of beauty or splendor. In everyday conversation, “gorgeous” often carries an enthusiastic or complimentary tone and may be somewhat less formal than “beautiful.” It can also suggest luxury or impressive quality, as in a gorgeous hotel or a gorgeous performance. The word is common in both British and American English, although the pronunciation varies: British speakers generally use a non-rhotic sound in the first syllable, while American speakers use an r-sounding vowel. Although “gorgeous” is primarily an adjective, related forms include the adverb “gorgeously” and the less common noun “gorgeousness.” Its unusual history links it to the French word gorgeus and ultimately to a term connected with the throat or neck.
adjectiveExceptionally beautiful, attractive, or pleasing to the senses. It can also describe something impressive, splendid, or luxurious.
- Exceptionally beautiful, attractive, or pleasing to the senses.
- So impressive, splendid, or luxurious as to inspire admiration.
"The garden looked gorgeous in the late afternoon sunlight."
"She wore a gorgeous emerald-green dress to the ceremony."
"The hotel offered a gorgeous view of the mountains and the lake."
This word for beauty has a surprisingly bodily beginning: its French ancestor was connected with the gorge, the throat or neck.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gorgeous
“Gorgeous” entered English in the early 16th century from French gorgeus, meaning beautiful or splendid. The French word was related to gorge, referring to the throat, neck, or a similarly constricted part of the body, and is ultimately connected with Latin gurges, “throat.” Related English words such as “gorge” and “gurgle” preserve the same ancient bodily and sound-related associations.
Related word forms
How gorgeous is actually used
Informal and strongly emphatic, especially in contemporary speech. It is common for describing people’s appearance, clothing, scenery, weather, food, and interiors. The pronunciation is generally /ˈɡɔːdʒəs/ in British English and /ˈɡɔrdʒəs/ in American English.