glory
/ˈɡlɔːri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡlɔːri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈglȯr-ē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡlɔː.ri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡlɔːr.i/ (ame, ipa)
glory — noun
- glorysingular
- gloriesplural
1. Worship, honour, and grateful thanks that people offer to God, especially in pra
Worship, honour, and grateful thanks that people offer to God, especially in prayer, song, or religious ceremony.
The congregation sang hymns to give glory to God during the Sunday service.
give glory to God
The worshippers stood together and offered glory and praise for the blessings in their lives.
offered glory and praise
The stained-glass windows of the cathedral were designed to reflect the glory of heaven.
The pastor ended the prayer with the words 'Glory to God in the highest.'
- praise
wider in use; glory is a more elevated, solemn form of praise reserved for God in religious contexts
- worship
includes the whole practice of religious devotion, not just verbal praise
- thanksgiving
focuses on gratitude specifically, whereas glory covers honour and awe
- blasphemy
speech or action showing disrespect for God
2. A public honour that people feel and express towards someone who has done someth
A public honour that people feel and express towards someone who has done something outstanding.
Tunde won the gold medal and brought great glory to his country.
bring glory to [country/team]
The young athlete's moment of glory came when she scored the winning goal.
moment of glory
Darius did not seek personal glory; he preferred to let his team share the credit.
The students earned their glory after months of hard training and early-morning practice.
Andrew shared the glory with his classmates who had helped him prepare for the competition.
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs like 'win', 'earn', 'bring', or 'share'. Often appears in the fixed phrase 'moment of glory' for a brief period of being celebrated.
常見錯誤
3. An achievement or accomplishment that makes you feel very proud and that other p
An achievement or accomplishment that makes you feel very proud and that other people admire and speak highly of.
Restoring the old library was the head librarian's greatest glory.
greatest glory
The temple's carved stone roof is the crowning glory of the entire building.
crowning glory
Isabela considered the novel she published at sixty to be her finest glory.
This medical discovery stands as a glory of modern science.
- achievement
broader and more neutral; glory emphasises the praise that the achievement brings
- triumph
suggests overcoming difficulty; glory focuses on the admiration received
- pride
a feeling of satisfaction; glory is the thing that causes that feeling
- failure
the opposite of a successful achievement
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive (her greatest glory) or of-construction (the glory of something). The fixed phrase 'crowning glory' means the most impressive achievement among several.
常見錯誤
4. Outstanding beauty or impressive visual magnificence, especially in nature, art,
Outstanding beauty or impressive visual magnificence, especially in nature, art, or architecture, that fills you with admiration.
The old palace has been carefully repaired and restored to its former glory.
restored to its former glory
Noa and Beatriz climbed the mountain to see the sunrise in all its glory.
in all its glory
The autumn forest showed its full glory, with red and gold leaves covering every hillside.
The museum's new hall was designed to capture the glory of the Renaissance period.
- splendour
nearly identical; splendour emphasises grandness and brightness, glory conveys a sense of awe
- magnificence
more formal, focuses on scale and impressiveness
- beauty
more general; glory suggests beauty on a grand, almost overwhelming scale
- ugliness
lack of beauty
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase 'in all its glory' (seen at its most beautiful or impressive). 'Restored to its former glory' is a set expression about buildings or objects regaining their original beauty.
5. A ring of light depicted near holy figures in religious paintings to show their
A ring of light depicted near holy figures in religious paintings to show their special status.
In Renaissance paintings, saints are often shown with a golden glory around their heads.
glory = circle of light around head
The artist painted a faint circle of glory above the angel's head.
Traditional Buddhist icons sometimes include a radiant glory behind the seated figure.
The icon showed the Virgin Mary with a soft circle of glory framing her face.
用法筆記
A specialised term used mainly when describing religious art. The more common everyday word for this concept is 'halo'.
glory — exclamation
1. A word you shout or say to express strong praise, thanks, and worship to God, es
A word you shout or say to express strong praise, thanks, and worship to God, especially during prayer or a religious service.
The congregation shouted 'Glory!' when the new church tower bells rang out.
exclamation of praise to God
Talia looked up at the stars and whispered, 'Glory to God for this beautiful world.'
'Glory be to God!' the priest cried when the rescue team found the hikers alive.
The old woman knelt at the altar and murmured 'Glory, glory' in quiet thankfulness.
- hallelujah
a Hebrew-origin exclamation meaning 'praise the Lord', common in Christian worship
- alleluia
variant spelling of hallelujah, especially in liturgical music
用法筆記
Typically used in a religious setting as a short exclamation of worship. It can appear alone or in the full phrase 'Glory to God'.
2. A short shout that you make when you feel sudden strong surprise, excitement, or
A short shout that you make when you feel sudden strong surprise, excitement, or admiration about something, similar to saying 'wow!'.
Hiro cried out 'Glory, look at that!' as the fireworks exploded over the harbour.
informal exclamation of surprise/amazement
'Glory be!' Quinn exclaimed when she tasted the home-made mango pie for the first time.
'Glory!' shouted Yara as she watched her favourite singer walk onto the stage.
Reuben looked at the enormous wedding cake and said with a grin, 'Well, glory be!'
用法筆記
Considered old-fashioned in modern British English. More common among older speakers or in historical fiction. The phrase 'Glory be!' is a fixed form of this exclamation.
glory — verb
- glorypresent simple I / you / we / they
- glories3rd person singular
- glorying-ing form
- gloriedpast simple
1. To feel and express great pride and satisfaction about something you have, have
To feel and express great pride and satisfaction about something you have, have done, or are part of — for example, a farmer glorying in his good harvest, or a teacher glorying in her students' progress.
The old farmer gloried in the rich harvest he had grown with his own hands.
glory in + [something]
Devika gloried in the success of her first art exhibition, which drew visitors citywide.
Some athletes glory in the pressure of a big match and perform even better.
The head chef gloried in her customers' praise but never stopped trying to improve.
- take pride in
the usual modern expression; 'glory in' is more formal and literary
- delight in
focuses on enjoyment rather than pride; slightly softer in tone
- revel in
similar intensity, often used for enjoyment of something others might find unpleasant
- be ashamed of
the opposite feeling of pride or satisfaction
文法句型
glory in + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Always followed by 'in'. The subject takes pleasure in something and is not shy about showing it. This verb has a slightly old-fashioned or literary feel; in everyday conversation, 'take pride in' or 'delight in' are more common.