Word of the Day

: June 30, 2012

grandiose

adjective grand-dee-OSS

What It Means

1 : characterized by affectation of grandeur or splendor or by absurd exaggeration

2 : impressive because of uncommon largeness, scope, effect, or grandeur

grandiose in Context

Jason often tried to impress people with his complicated, grandiose plans for success, but he never seemed to make much progress towards putting them into action.

"Yanni has achieved much of his fame over the past two decades-plus with grandiose outdoor concerts at places such as the Acropolis, the Taj Mahal and, most recently, El Morro, Puerto Rico." - From a review by David Burke in the Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa), May 3, 2012

Did You Know?

"Grandiose," "magnificent," "imposing," "stately," "majestic," and "grand" all can mean very large and impressive. "Grand" adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity, as in "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, and ceremonious deliberation of movement ("the stately procession"). "Majestic" combines the implications "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").