glorious
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glorious
Showing great fame and honor; famous and successful. Often used for historical victories, eras, or careers.
Die Mannschaft feierte ihren glorreichen Sieg in der Meisterschaft.
The team celebrated its glorious victory in the championship.
brilliant
Used colloquially and often ironically to describe an idea or action as especially unwise or absurd.
Er hatte die glorreiche Idee, bei strömendem Regen im Park zu grillen.
He had the brilliant idea of having a barbecue in the park in the pouring rain.
The word is made up of 'Glorie' (glory, honor) and the ending '-reich' (rich in). So it literally means 'rich in glory.'
Die Ritter träumten von einer glorreichen Zukunft.
The knights dreamed of a glorious future.
You often recognize the ironic meaning in combination with words like 'Idee' (idea), 'Plan' (plan), or 'Vorschlag' (suggestion). The tone or context makes it clear that the idea is actually bad.
Und wer hatte die glorreiche Idee, den Schlüssel von innen stecken zu lassen?
And who had the brilliant idea of leaving the key in the lock from the inside?
In its serious meaning, 'glorreich' (glorious) is often used for historical or very significant things. Typical combinations are 'eine glorreiche Vergangenheit' (a glorious past), 'glorreiche Zeiten' (glorious times), or 'ein glorreicher Moment' (a glorious moment).
Das war der glorreiche Abschluss seiner langen Karriere.
That was the glorious conclusion to his long career.
In everyday language, 'glorreich' (glorious) can sound a bit exaggerated or old-fashioned. It is mainly used in written language or when describing very important, positive events.
Der Redner sprach von den glorreichen Taten der Firmengründer.
The speaker talked about the glorious deeds of the company founders.
brilliant / awesome
Genial and glorreich can be used ironically to praise an obviously bad idea. Genial sounds like an everyday sarcastic judgment. Glorreich sounds more exaggerated and grandiose, making the mockery especially clear.
„Eine glorreiche Idee“, verkündete Lea spöttisch, als Tom den Schlüssel in der Wohnung liegen ließ.
“A glorious idea,” Lea announced mockingly when Tom left the key inside the apartment.
„Geniale Idee“, sagte Lea trocken, als Tom den Schlüssel in der Wohnung liegen ließ.
“Brilliant idea,” Lea said dryly when Tom left the key inside the apartment.
