French word

spectaculaire

Pronunciation

IPA/spɛktakylɛʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectiveimpressive

Example

Sa performance était vraiment spectaculaire.

Her performance was really impressive.

Illustration for spectaculaire (impressive)

More examples

Le feu d'artifice était spectaculaire.

The fireworks were spectacular.

Core concept

A visually grand scene or performance that immediately commands attention.

Common phrases

  • vue spectaculaire

    spectacular view

  • succès spectaculaire

    spectacular success

  • effet spectaculaire

    dramatic effect

Similar words

impressionnant: Strongly moving or surprising.
génial: Exceptionally good and worthy of praise.
magnifique: Beautiful and grand in appearance.
extraordinaire: Unusual and exceptionally striking.

Definition in French

Qui suscite une admiration forte par son aspect visuel, sa grandeur ou son éclat.

Word origin

Spectaculaire derives from French spectacle with the suffix -aire, ultimately from Latin spectaculum, meaning a sight or show.

Usage tips

  • Spectaculaire agrees with the noun in gender and number, as in une performance spectaculaire and des paysages spectaculaires.

Other meanings

  • magnificentadjective
  • spectacularadjective
  • showyadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word