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

The National Gallery has a second location, dubbed the House of Collections, in a stately white heritage building originally constructed in 1908 to house the country’s national library, archives and natural history collections. — Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

In fact, Burj Al Babas was planned as a luxurious, stately urban development offering the look of royal living for anyone willing to shell out anywhere from $370,000 to $500,000 for their own little palace. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026

It has since been rebranded as El Palace Barcelona, but guests can still expect the same stately service and decor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026

Ours was launched in 2021 and conveys a stately elegance, with spacious cabins, marble bathrooms, polished brass fittings, and rich mahogany paneling. — Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 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