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edifice

edifice

16 7.7
A large, impressive building that looks important
  • noun
  • /ˈɛdɪfɪs/
translation icon : edificio
  • It's a comely, white-columned, two-story historic edifice that feels as if it could be full of ghosts.
  • a magnificent edifice
  • an imposing edifice
  • an architectural edifice

And the Milwaukee Central Library is an amazing edifice in several different ways.

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Examples

  • Adam entered the edifice that he hoped would transform his life.

  • The ancient edifice, once a royal palace, now serves as a museum for visitors.

  • Learn more about this ancient edifice with this video.

  • So, what do you think a magnificent edifice like this is worth?

  • And the Milwaukee Central Library is an amazing edifice in several different ways.

  • All of the presidents since Adams have occupied that noble edifice.

  • I loved the little provincial city: a few impressive government edifices and the cathedral surrounded by modest shops.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Kimble stands on a sidewalk, staring at the imposing edifice across the street.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The superbly restored edifice... in the heart of that incomparably beautiful Irish countryside... also known to be the most haunted place on the Emerald Isle!

  • But there is a new wind, blowing from the east, from the dusty streets of Bethlehem, that will soon challenge the vast house of Caesar, that edifice wrought of brick and blood which now seems so secure!

Synonyms

building
vsedifice
1.0

A roofed and walled place for people to live or work in

is specifically a large impressive structure, not any ordinary one
palazzo
vsedifice
9 7.6

A large, beautiful building often found in Italy

is not limited to an Italian architectural style
palais
vsedifice
5 9.1

A large impressive building used for public events like concerts or exhibitions

is focused on size and appearance rather than official use
1 5.6

A building with an impressive design that many people admire

is about imposing size or appearance rather than design excellence

Antonyms

147 3.1

The remains of a building left after it is destroyed

131 1.8

A small rough shelter made from wood and metal scraps

Compounds

edifice complex
  • Informal
1 9.4

A strong wish to build very large, showy buildings to show power

How Impressive

skyscraper
63 3.0
palace
241 1.0
edifice
16 7.7
building
1.0
house
1.0
hut
217 1.0

Surface Forms

edifice singular
edifices plural

Etymology

Edifice comes from an old Latin word aedificium, which meant 'a building' and combined ideas of 'house' and 'to make'. Think of the -fic part as the same idea in factory ('to make'), so an edifice is a made building, which explains why it means a large, impressive building.