Definition

1. Noun:
   • Sovereign power, dignity, or authority; the quality of being majestic: The word refers to the impressive and grand quality associated with supreme power, especially of a monarch. It conveys a sense of awe-inspiring dignity and stateliness.
   • (With a capital 'M', often preceded by a possessive pronoun like His, Her, Your, Their): A title used when addressing or referring to a sovereign ruler, such as a king or queen.

Usage

• As a common noun (uncountable): Used to describe the impressive, grand, or dignified quality of something.
  • The majesty of the ancient mountains filled them with awe.
• As a proper noun/title (capitalized): Used as a formal title for a reigning sovereign.
  • Her Majesty the Queen will address the nation.
  • Your Majesty, your guests have arrived.

Examples

• Describing grandeur:
  • We stood in silence, overwhelmed by the majesty of the cathedral.
  • The film captures the raw majesty of the natural world.
• As a royal title:
  • His Majesty King Charles III.
  • "Your Majesty," the ambassador said with a bow.

Advanced Usage

• "Full of majesty": Possessing great dignity or splendor.
  • The full orchestra played, and the music was full of majesty.
• "In all its majesty": Used to emphasize the complete and impressive nature of something.
  • We saw the palace in all its majesty, lit up for the celebration.

Variants and Related Words

• Majestic (adjective): Having or showing impressive beauty, dignity, or scale.
  • The majestic eagle soared above the cliffs.
• Majestically (adverb): In a majestic manner.
  • The ship sailed majestically into the harbor.

Synonyms

• Grandeur: Splendor and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style.
• Dignity: The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
• Stateliness: The quality of being dignified, impressive, and grand in manner or appearance.
• Nobility: The quality of being noble in character, birth, rank, or appearance.

Related Phrases

• Royal Highness: A title used for members of a royal family other than the sovereign (e.g., princes, princesses). Contrasts with "Majesty," which is typically for the monarch.
• Imperial Majesty: A title sometimes used for emperors and empresses.

Idioms

• Lèse-majesté (also Lese-majesty): A legal term, from French, meaning an offense against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or the state. It can also be used figuratively to mean an insult to someone who is, or acts as if they are, very important.
  • Criticizing the CEO in that company is almost considered an act of lèse-majesté.

Noun

1. impressiveness in scale or proportion