gorgeous

Everyday

1. Very beautiful or attractive. tree →
2. Very pleasant or enjoyable: gorgeous weather, a gorgeous cake. tree →
3. (informal, UK) A friendly way to address someone: «Hello, gorgeous!» tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it is an enthusiastic word for lovely views, food, clothes, babies and pets. In stories it describes beautiful places and people. In descriptive writing it is a stronger word than «pretty» or «nice». Phrases: gorgeous view, absolutely gorgeous, look gorgeous.

Examples

• What a gorgeous view of the mountains! tree →
• The bride looked gorgeous in her dress. tree →
• We had gorgeous weather at the beach. tree →
• This chocolate cake is absolutely gorgeous. tree →
• Look at that gorgeous puppy! tree →
• The autumn colours in Canada are gorgeous. tree →
• Gran calls everyone «gorgeous» when she says hello. tree →
• The King rode on a huge Elephant adorned with the most gorgeous trappings. tree →

Note

Spelling: g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s (the e before -ous keeps the g soft: GOR-jus). Adverb: gorgeously. Calling a stranger «gorgeous» can feel too personal; it is mostly said by family and friends.

In Jewish tradition

Means richly splendid, as in fine cloth traded by merchants of Tyre.

Interpretation. Ezekiel's list of Tyre's trade is read as a picture of its wealth and pride, which would not save it from falling.

Examples

• These were thy traffickers in gorgeous fabrics, in wrappings of blue and richly woven work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and cedar-lined, among thy merchandise. (Prophets EZK.27.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s (the e before -ous keeps the g soft: GOR-jus). Adverb: gorgeously. Calling a stranger «gorgeous» can feel too personal; it is mostly said by family and friends.