stately

1 of 2

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

stateliness

2 of 2

noun

state·​li·​ness

-ātlēnə̇s, 

-lin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being stately: such as

a

: impressiveness in scale or proportion : majesty, grandeur

who can deny to the architecture of nature a certain stateliness

—W. M. Dixon

b(1)

: imposing or courtly formality (as in appearance or manner) : aloofness

his stateliness often repelled people

(2)

: impressive dignity or loftiness : grandness

a nobility and stateliness of character

—Sheldon Cheney

(3)

: elevation of style or expression : sublimity

the stateliness of biblical prose

Synonyms of stately

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

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

Adjective

Towering pines and stately live oaks make up the surrounding maritime forest. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 26 Sep. 2026

Bentley The front end is reminiscent of stately Bentleys from the early 2000s, like the Continental T and the Arnage with the signature prominent grille. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

The stately main house, built in 2009 and designed by Gacek Design Group, looks much like a traditional Pennsylvania country estate, with a stone exterior, slate roof, dormer windows, and landscaped grounds. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026

The first daughter opted for a stately pale blue ensemble with intricate white embroidery from the Chinese designer Guo Pei, whose elaborate couture canary yellow gown with a 16-foot train for Rihanna’s 2015 attendance to the Met Gala went viral. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined above

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