sublime

UK: /səˈblaɪm/ US: /səˈblaɪm/ ,(sə blīm′)

Inflections of 'sublime' (adj):

sublimer

adj comparative

sublimest

adj superlative

Inflections of 'sublime' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

sublimes

v 3rd person singular

subliming

v pres p

sublimed

v past

sublimed

v past

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sub•lime /səˈblaɪm/   adj. 

1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.
2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandness or power.
3. supreme or outstanding:
   a sublime dinner.

n. [uncountable]

4. the sublime:
   • the realm of things that are sublime:
     from the sublime to the ridiculous.
   • the greatest or supreme degree.

See -lim-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sub•lime  (sə blīm′), adj., n., v., -limed, -lim•ing. 
adj. 

1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.: Paradise Lost is sublime poetry.
2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power;
   inspiring awe, veneration, etc.:
   Switzerland has sublime scenery.
3. supreme or outstanding:
   a sublime dinner.
4. complete;
   absolute;
   utter:
   sublime stupidity.
5. [Archaic.]
   • of lofty bearing.
   • haughty.
6. [Archaic.] raised high;
   high up.

n. 

7. the sublime:
   • the realm of things that are sublime:
     the sublime in art.
   • the quality of sublimity.
   • the greatest or supreme degree.

v.t. 

8. to make higher, nobler, or purer.
9. Chemistry
   • to convert (a solid substance) by heat into a vapor, which on cooling condenses again to solid form, without apparent liquefaction.
   • to cause to be given off by this or some analogous process.

v.i. 

10. Chemistry to volatilize from the solid state to a gas, and then condense again as a solid without passing through the liquid state.

• Latin sublimāre to raise, derivative of sublimis
• Old French sublimer
• Latin sublīmis high, equivalent. to sub- sub- + an element of uncertain origin, originally, variously identified with līmis, līmus oblique or līmen lintel, threshold; (verb, verbal) Middle English sublimen
• (noun, nominal and adjective, adjectival) 1350–1400

sub•lime′ly, adv. 
sub•lime′ness, n. 
sub•lim′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. exalted, noble.
• 2. magnificent, superb, august, grand, gorgeous, resplendent, imposing, majestic.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sublime / səˈblaɪm/ adjective

1. of high moral, aesthetic, intellectual, or spiritual value; noble; exalted
2. inspiring deep veneration, awe, or uplifting emotion because of its beauty, nobility, grandeur, or immensity
3. unparalleled; supreme
4. of proud bearing or aspect
5. raised up

noun the sublime ⇒

1. something that is sublime
2. the ultimate degree or perfect example: the sublime of folly

verb

1. (transitive) to make higher or purer
2. to change or cause to change directly from a solid to a vapour or gas without first melting
3. to undergo or cause to undergo this process followed by a reverse change directly from a vapour to a solid: to sublime iodine onto glass

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin sublīmis lofty, perhaps from sub- up to + līmen lintel

subˈlimely adverb

sublimity / səˈblɪmɪtɪ/ noun