Sublime Definition – Meaning and Usage In A Sentence

Many words in the English language have two or more meanings. However, most people are only familiar with only one meaning, so they do not understand how to use the word appropriately. The word “sublime” is one such word, and you must not be a part of the less-informed people who use words incorrectly.

The word “sublime” has about four different meanings, but the most used is in chemistry, and it refers to when a solid substance is changed to vapor upon heating and, when cooled, forms a solid deposit. An example of “sublime” in a sentence is, The crystal will be sublime when under a vacuum.

You must have heard the word “sublime” being used in other contexts outside of chemistry. This would have left you wondering what the word could mean. You do not have to worry; we have got you covered in this article.

What Is The Meaning Of Sublime?

Sublime means to be extremely enjoyable, beautiful, or good. It also means to possess outstanding moral, intellectual, or spiritual worth. Sublime also means to inspire awe due to high quality (including nobility, beauty, or grandeur) or superior excellence. And it can also mean grand, lofty, or exalted in expression, thought, or manner.

It is not advisable to use a word without first having in-depth knowledge of what the word means. This is the major cause of communication barriers; when you use a word incorrectly, you fail to pass across the right message. So, the recipient becomes confused and does not understand what you are communicating.

We mentioned one of the meanings of sublime above, which is when a solid substance changes to vapor when heated and forms a solid deposit when it is cooled. Another definition of sublime is to be of very great beauty or excellence. Sublime can also mean to be unparalleled or extreme in behavior or attitude. It also means awe-inspiring or noble.

According to Merriam Webster dictionary, sublime also means converting something, especially if inferior, to something of greater worth. Another definition of sublime is to exalt or elevate, especially with honor or dignity.

When sublime is used, it can also mean to impress with a sense of power or grandeur. It also means to possess a lofty bearing, inspiring reverence or awe. There is also an outdated meaning of the word sublime; it is elevated to a high spiritual purity or moral excellence level.

We will also look at the nature of the word sublime. The nature of a word refers to the form the word takes in a sentence. It also refers to the part of speech the word falls under. Moreover, it can also be the role it performs in a sentence.

The word sublime can be a noun, an adjective, or a verb; it depends on the context of usage and how you use it.

As a noun, it functions as a naming word. As an adjective, it describes a concrete noun, including a person, an object, a thing, or even an abstract noun, like attitude and behavior. The word sublime functions as a verb mainly when used in science activities (chemistry).

How To Use Sublime In A Sentence?

It is important to learn how to use the word “sublime” in a sentence; otherwise, you would make mistakes using the word.

1. You can use sublime to describe something enjoyable, extremely beautiful, or incredible. For example: “The music produced by Yanni the Jazz artist is sublime, which is the reason for their millions of fans worldwide. ”
2. You can also use sublime to imply that something is breath-taking, extraordinary, and provides an inspiring experience. For example: “Traveling to Dubai and visiting the Burj Khalifa will leave you with a sublime experience.”
3. Another way of using the word sublime is to describe something transcendent or pure, without blemish or imperfections. For example: “The life of a religious leader is expected to be sublime despite the corruption around them. ”
4. You can also use sublime to describe something that deserves respect, love, or devotion because it is awesome or wholesome. For example: “June’s attitude towards David was so sublime that he fell in love and had no choice but to ask for her hand in marriage.”

10 Examples Of Sublime In A Sentence

Now that you have a proper understanding of the different meanings of sublime, its etymology, the proper way to spell and pronounce it, and how to use it properly, we will look at 10 illustrative examples showing how to use the word sublime in a sentence.

1. Job, an adrenaline junkie, had a great day riding the roller coasters; he described the experience as sublime.
2. For some, the beauty of artificial arts and designs is more sublime than any teachings of any religious organization.
3. After a sublime morning of romantic love, June was in awe and attracted to the intoxicating scent of James cologne.
4. The monk said that by making efforts to meditate for about five hours daily, one might clear his mind and access the sublime.
5. The soprano missed the opportunity to sing because she was down with laryngitis, but her backup singer was able to deliver a sublime performance, earning herself a standing ovation.
6. Joe said, “in comparison to the ordinary tract homes in my neighborhood in the city, the beach homes are sublime.”
7. Although Mary has experienced many difficulties throughout her life, her sublime faith made her survive and scale through.
8. The best thing about spending your vacation on a cruise ship is the sublime scenery and the beautiful views.
9. The chef is accustomed to receiving a lot of compliments from the hotel guests after they have had a taste of his sublime meal.
10. Mia has a sublime figure, but she is always covered up when she visits the beach, except in the water.

How Do You Spell Sublime?

Before you use a word, you should know how the word is spelled, especially if you will use the word when writing. When a word is spelled correctly, the individual letters of the alphabet are identified in the proper and correct order.

The appropriate way of spelling the word “Sublime” is [S U B L I M E]. This is the universal and accepted way of spelling the English word sublime; it retains the same spelling in British, Canadian, Australian, or American English.

Sublime Synonyms

• Awesome
• Fabulous
• Wonderful
• Amazing
• Astonishing

Sublime Antonyms

• Common
• Monotonous
• Uninspiring
• Boring
• Normal

How Do You Pronounce Sublime?

Every word in the English language has a unique way it is pronounced, and until you learn how to pronounce the words, your speaking and writing will be incoherent. Correctly pronouncing words is determined by proper placement of intonation, stress, and other factors.

The word sublime is pronounced as sʌblˈa͡ɪm or səˈblaɪm; it is clearer this way s ʌ b l ‘ai m. The “s” is a consonant sound; the “ʌ” is a vowel sound pronounced with the jaw slightly opened, relaxed lips, and the tongue slightly back; the “b” is a consonant sound, as well as “l.” The “ai” is a diphthong (two combined vowel sounds) and is pronounced with the jaw opened and the tongue in the center, and then the tongue glides.

How Many Syllables Are In Sublime?

To understand how to pronounce a word, you must know how many syllables it has. The number of syllables in a word is determined by the number of times you hear a vowel sound when the word is pronounced.

When the word sublime is pronounced correctly, there are two syllables; sub and lime, represented as “sub-lime.” So, when pronouncing the word, keep in mind that it is divided into two syllables. 

History & Etymology Of Sublime

The word “sublime” was coined from the French word “Sublime” in the 1580s. Moreover, some claim it is from the Latin word “Sublimis,” meaning high, exalted, uplifted, eminent, lofty, distinguished, and borne aloft. Others claim the word is the combination of two Latin words, “Sub” and “Limen.” 

Sub, meaning below, at the foot of, under, and beneath. And Limen, meaning sill, threshold, and lintel. According to Wiktionary, the English word “sublime” is from the Middle English word “Sublimen,” derived from an Old French word “Sublimer,” which is from the Latin word “Sublimo.”

When Was Sublime First Used?

At the birth of literary criticism, the word sublime was first used in Europe in the late 17th century. French writers like Jean-Baptiste Racine, Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, Jean-Baptiste l’Abbé Dubos, and Pierre Corneille used the word in their writings. 

In the 18th century, the word sublime came to mean aesthetic quality different from beauty in Great Britain. Writers like John Dennis and Anthony Ashley-Cooper used it in their writings. John Dennis was the first to have a published work using the word sublime in 1693.

Final Thoughts

The word sublime is commonly used, and you do not have to be confused when you come across it. Neither must you pick up a dictionary to know the nature of the word when it is used. This article covers everything you need to know to use the word correctly when writing. So, go on, read up and be enlightened.