Mirific
What it means
Producing wonder or an effect that seems marvelous.
Reach for it when using a rare literary word when wonder-working power is genuinely the point
The dye maker achieved a mirific blue from leaves that looked unpromising.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when figurative enchantment captures a delightful effect
Careful Magical is common promotional language and may blur literal claims.
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everyday
Fits when plain enthusiastic praise is sufficient
Careful Wonderful expresses general approval; mirific points specifically toward a wonder-making effect.
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warm
Fits when something inspires delighted admiration
Careful Marvelous is familiar praise and lacks mirific's rare learned tone.
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professional
Fits when the result greatly exceeds reasonable expectation
Careful Astonishment can be negative and says nothing about beauty.
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formal
Fits when the event appears to exceed natural explanation
Careful Miraculous makes a supernatural or highly improbable claim that mirific need not.
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literary
Fits when an agent repeatedly produces remarkable effects
Careful Wonder-working is conspicuous and can sound religious or archaic.
Opposites 4
- ordinary
- uninspiring
- banal
- disappointing
Common phrases 3
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mirific power
The novel gives memory a mirific power to reshape the landscape.
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mirific effect
One hidden window creates a mirific effect at sunset.
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mirific skill
Her mirific skill turned damaged glass into a coherent new panel.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Mirific is rare in contemporary English. Wonderful or marvelous will serve most readers more naturally.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated