stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē 

statelier; stateliest

1

a

: marked by lofty or imposing dignity

b

: haughty, unapproachable

2

: impressive in size or proportions

stateliness noun

stately adverb

Synonyms

• imposing

Choose the Right Synonym for stately

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of stately in a Sentence

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests

a stately dowager in an evening gown

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, the Knives Out mansion in Massachusetts serves as the show’s history- and mystery-blending centerpiece, and, with a stately estate in New York’s affluent Westchester County, suburban grandeur gets a modern twist in Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2025

The stately and imposing Graham McTavish helped lead Outlander as brawny war chief Dougal MacKenzie on the first two seasons of Outlander, though the actor would return for a couple more appearances later in the series. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The public university, which has served primarily Black students for more than 50 years, sits on a gorgeous, 161-acre campus, clustered with copses of stately trees that make the grounds look something like an East Coast institution with a far longer lineage than CSU. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025

But the Gothic, stately, exponentially older European church was a different beast—and Sagrada Família was in league of its own. —Angela Lian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stately

• stately home

Rhymes for stately

• innately
• ornately
• pinnately
• sedately
• greatly
• lately
• precipitately

Kids Definition

stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē 

statelier; stateliest

: impressively grand in appearance, manner, or size

stateliness noun