legendary
legendary — adjective
1. used to describe a person or thing that is known to a very large number of peopl
used to describe a person or thing that is known to a very large number of people and greatly admired for being exceptionally good, skilled, or remarkable in some way.
The singer became legendary after winning six international awards in one year.
collocation: legendary + noun (singer)
Padma's legendary patience with difficult students made her the most respected teacher at the school.
Rachid's legendary cooking skills brought food critics from across the country to his small restaurant.
The actor's legendary performance earned a standing ovation that lasted nearly ten minutes.
Bao considered his grandfather's legendary generosity the greatest gift of his childhood.
- famous
broader and weaker; 'famous' simply means widely known, while 'legendary' adds admiration and lasting reputation
- renowned
more formal in tone; 'renowned' suggests widespread respect, while 'legendary' carries a sense of being talked about over time
- iconic
emphasises representing an idea or era; 'iconic' is about symbolic status, while 'legendary' focuses on fame and admiration
文法句型
legendary + noun
be + legendary
用法筆記
This sense is commonly used in both attributive position (before a noun, e.g. 'a legendary singer') and predicative position (after a linking verb, e.g. 'became legendary'). The noun following 'legendary' is typically a role, skill, or achievement that implies public recognition.
常見錯誤
2. relating to people, creatures, or events that appear in traditional stories or m
relating to people, creatures, or events that appear in traditional stories or myths that have been passed down through generations, often involving extraordinary or magical elements.
A legendary creature called the dragon appears in stories from many cultures around the world.
collocation: legendary creature
Local tales say a legendary warrior named Eli defeated a giant with a single stone.
Constanza read about the legendary heroes of ancient Greece who fought against powerful gods.
The research team found ruins that might be the legendary city from ancient stories.
Nora's grandmother told her stories about a legendary forest where the animals could speak.
- mythical
broader in scope; 'mythical' includes purely fictional beings, while 'legendary' suggests stories with some claimed historical roots
- fabled
similar in register; 'fabled' emphasises being well-known from old tales, often with a wonderous quality
- folkloric
more academic in tone; 'folkloric' relates to the traditions of a community, while 'legendary' is the everyday word
- historical
opposite in terms of being documented in recorded history rather than tradition
- real
simple contrast with the story-based nature of legendary figures
文法句型
legendary + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used attributively (before the noun it describes, e.g. 'a legendary hero'). It refers specifically to figures and places from tradition, not to modern celebrities. Distinguish from sense 1 (VERY FAMOUS), where 'legendary' describes real people admired for achievements.