Definitions for sublimesəˈblaɪm

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word sublime

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

sub•limesəˈblaɪm(adj.; n.; v.)-limed, -lim•ing.

  1. (adj.)elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.


  3. supreme or outstanding:

    a sublime dinner.

  4. (n.)the sublime, the realm of things that are sublime. the quality of sublimity. the greatest or supreme degree.

  5. (v.t.)to make higher, nobler, or purer.

  6. 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 process.

    Category: Chemistry

  7. (v.i.)to volatilize from the solid state to a gas, and then condense again as a solid without passing through the liquid state.

    Category: Chemistry

Origin of sublime:

1350–1400; (n., adj.) < L sublīmis high =sub-sub - + an element of uncert. orig., variously identified with līmis, līmus oblique, or līmen lintel, threshold; (v.) ME < OF sublimer < L sublimāre to raise, der. of sublimis


Princeton's WordNet

  1. empyreal, empyrean, sublime(adj)

    inspiring awe

    "well-meaning ineptitude that rises to empyreal absurdity"- M.S.Dworkin; "empyrean aplomb"- Hamilton Basso; "the sublime beauty of the night"

  2. reverend, sublime(adj)

    worthy of adoration or reverence

  3. sublime(adj)

    lifted up or set high

    "their hearts were jocund and sublime"- Milton


    of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style


  5. sublime, sublimate(verb)

    vaporize and then condense right back again

  6. sublime, sublimate(verb)


    "sublime iodine"; "some salts sublime when heated"


  1. sublime(Noun)

    something sublime

  2. sublime(Verb)

    To sublimate.

  3. sublime(Adjective)

    Noble and majestic.

  4. sublime(Adjective)

    Impressive and awe-inspiring.

  5. Origin: From sublime, from sublimis, from sub- + uncertain, often identified with limis, ablative singular of limus or limen

Webster Dictionary

  1. Sublime

    lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; uplifted; lofty

  2. Sublime

    distinguished by lofty or noble traits; eminent; -- said of persons

  3. Sublime

    awakening or expressing the emotion of awe, adoration, veneration, heroic resolve, etc.; dignified; grand; solemn; stately; -- said of an impressive object in nature, of an action, of a discourse, of a work of art, of a spectacle, etc.; as, sublime scenery; a sublime deed

  4. Sublime

    elevated by joy; elate

  5. Sublime

    lofty of mien; haughty; proud

  6. Sublime(noun)

    that which is sublime; -- with the definite article

  7. Sublime(noun)

    a grand or lofty style in speaking or writing; a style that expresses lofty conceptions

  8. Sublime(noun)

    that which is grand in nature or art, as distinguished from the merely beautiful

  9. Sublime(verb)

    to raise on high

  10. Sublime(verb)

    to subject to the process of sublimation; to heat, volatilize, and condense in crystals or powder; to distill off, and condense in solid form; hence, also, to purify

  11. Sublime(verb)

    to exalt; to heighten; to improve; to purify

  12. Sublime(verb)

    to dignify; to ennoble

  13. Sublime(verb)

    to pass off in vapor, with immediate condensation; specifically, to evaporate or volatilize from the solid state without apparent melting; -- said of those substances, like arsenic, benzoic acid, etc., which do not exhibit a liquid form on heating, except under increased pressure


  1. Sublime

    Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell, Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh. Michael 'Miguel' Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash". Lou Dog, Nowell's dalmatian, was the mascot of the band. Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996. In 1997, posthumous songs such as "Santeria", "The Wrong Way", "Doin' Time", and "April 29, 1992" were released to U.S. radio. Sublime released three studio albums, one live album, five compilation albums, three EPs and one box set. Although their first two albums—40 Oz. to Freedom and Robbin' the Hood —were quite popular in the United States, Sublime did not experience major commercial success until 1996 with their self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell's death, which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "What I Got", which remains the band's only number one hit single in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about 10 million in the U.S. alone.

Translations for sublime

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary


of overwhelming greatness, grandeur, beauty etc.

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