sublime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sublime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is of such excellence or beauty that it inspires great admiration or awe. Example: "The view from the mountaintop was truly sublime, leaving us speechless in its grandeur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From the sublime to the ridiculous.

The Guardian - Music

This time it was Suárez bursting through a knot of static Bayern defenders after a sublime pass from Messi.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact I am sure that I never experienced, as a child, any kind of encounter with the sublime, that catch in the throat, that tightness of the lungs, that sudden, roaring sense of one's extreme smallness in a huge, awful, beautiful world.

The Guardian - Books

I think that a child does not feel the sublime because a child need not, perhaps cannot, confront the limitations of his or her language – language, for a child, is already miraculous, supple, generous in its association, tragic, hilarious, disproportionate and huge.

The Guardian - Books

I do not feel the sublime when I look at a city, however impressive it might be in proportion and shadow, for the reason that a city is designed, in its substance it has been formally determined, and it has been named already by the fact of its creation.

The Guardian - Books

The language of description is always a matter of equivalence (a word equals the thing it describes) and so cannot contend with the sublime.

The Guardian - Books

The Andes, as the world's longest continuous mountain range, came to hold the promise of an endless succession of extreme and sublime landscapes.

The Guardian - Travel

When life keeps looking up, it can touch the sublime.

The Guardian - Film

The images move from the everyday sublime to the symbolic, and are threaded through with a wealth of found material.

The Guardian - Arts

Is there anything more sublime and wasteful to spend money on?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, two incidents later in the first half demonstrated how Di María could sprint past his man with ease – first, after a sublime first touch, Rooney clipped the ball into his path, although Di María refused to shoot first time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sublime" to describe experiences or objects that evoke a sense of awe and wonder due to their exceptional beauty, quality, or grandeur. It's particularly effective when conveying a feeling that transcends the ordinary.

Common error

Avoid using "sublime" to describe everyday or trivial things. Its power lies in its ability to convey extraordinary qualities, so reserve it for truly remarkable subjects to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sublime" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something possessing outstanding qualities that inspire awe or admiration. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sublime" is a versatile adjective used to describe something exceptionally beautiful, impressive, or awe-inspiring. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable word in written English. It commonly appears in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sport contexts, often to convey a sense of profound admiration. While grammatically straightforward, reserve "sublime" for instances that truly merit its grandeur. Related alternatives include "exquisite", "magnificent", and "awe-inspiring", each offering slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overuse in trivial contexts to retain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exquisite

Focuses on delicate beauty and refined craftsmanship, emphasizing intricate detail.

magnificent

Highlights grandeur and impressive scale, suggesting a powerful visual impact.

awe-inspiring

Emphasizes the feeling of profound respect and wonder that something evokes.

majestic

Conveys a sense of dignified beauty and imposing presence, often associated with royalty or nature.

glorious

Suggests radiant beauty and celebratory excellence, implying great joy or triumph.

divine

Implies perfection and a connection to a higher power, conveying spiritual or otherworldly beauty.

transcendent

Focuses on exceeding ordinary limits, surpassing the mundane and reaching a higher plane of existence.

peerless

Highlights unmatched quality and superiority, emphasizing that something has no equal.

matchless

Similar to peerless, this indicates that nothing can compare to the subject's quality.

incomparable

Stresses that something is beyond comparison, standing alone in its unique and exceptional nature.

FAQs

How can I use "sublime" in a sentence?

Use "sublime" to describe something of exceptional beauty or quality that inspires awe, like "The sunset over the mountains was a "sublime" experience."

What are some words I can use instead of "sublime"?

You can use alternatives like "exquisite", "magnificent", or "awe-inspiring" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "sublime" to describe a simple pleasure?

While technically correct, using "sublime" for simple pleasures might be an overstatement. It's best reserved for experiences that evoke a sense of profound beauty or grandeur. Words like "delightful" or "pleasant" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "sublime" and "beautiful"?

"Beautiful" generally describes something pleasing to the senses, while "sublime" implies a higher level of excellence that inspires awe and transcends the ordinary. Something "beautiful" can be aesthetically pleasing, but something "sublime" evokes a deeper, more profound emotional response.