grand

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: having more importance than others : foremost
b
: having higher rank than others bearing the same general designation
the grand champion
2
a
: inclusive, comprehensive
the grand total of all money paid out
b
: definitive, incontrovertible
grand example
3
: chief, principal
the grand ballroom
4
: large and striking in size, scope, extent, or conception
grand design
5
a
: lavish, sumptuous
a grand celebration
b
: marked by a regal form and dignity
c
: fine or imposing in appearance or impression
sported a grand mustache
d
: lofty, sublime
writing in the grand style
6
a
: pretending to social superiority : supercilious
b
: intended to impress
a person of grand gestures
7
: very good : wonderful
a grand time
grandly adverb
grandness noun

grand

2 of 2

noun

1
2
plural grand, slang : a thousand dollars
Choose the Right Synonym for grand

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 grand in a Sentence

Adjective He thinks everything the government does is part of some grand conspiracy. the beauty of nature's grand design The neighborhood includes many grand old homes. His job is much less grand than his title makes it sound. My great aunt lived to the grand old age of 103. Despite its grand name, the hotel is small and somewhat seedy. He made some grand statements about the company's future. They celebrated their anniversary in grand style. He planned to make a grand entrance, driving up to the house in a fancy red sports car. We won the grand prize. Noun He bought a used car for about five grand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In the setting of a grand country estate, diners savor locally caught seafood. Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 America was full of hope, tottering hastily toward a technological age filled with grand expectations for the future. Ruby Thélot, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2024
Noun
New York’s mythology is full of artist collectives, those ragtag groups of poets, painters, musicians, or actors, gathered in some grand, decaying ballroom, deeply engrossed in dialogues and diatribes on life and living. Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024 The attempt on Donald Trump’s life and heightened security at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin very abruptly changed the program’s grand (and on-the-ground) plans. Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for grand 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Anglo-French grant, grand, large, great, grand, from Latin grandis

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grand was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near grand

Cite this Entry

“Grand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grand. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

grand

1 of 2 adjective
1
: higher in rank than others of the same class : foremost, principal
the grand champion
the grand prize
2
: great in size
3
: including all things being considered : complete
a grand total
4
a
: marked by magnificence : splendid
a grand coronation ceremony
b
: showing wealth or high social standing
the airs of a grand lady
5
: impressive
made grand statements about our progress
6
: very good : fine
grand weather
have a grand time
grandly adverb
grandness noun

grand

2 of 2 noun

Legal Definition

grand

adjective
: of, relating to, or being a crime involving the theft of money or property valued at over a set amount
convicted of grand embezzlement
see also grand larceny at larceny, grand theft at theft compare petty

Geographical Definition

Grand

geographical name

1
river 260 miles (418 kilometers) long in southwestern Michigan flowing north and west into Lake Michigan
2
river 300 miles (483 kilometers) long in northwestern Missouri flowing southeast into the Missouri River
3
river 200 miles (322 kilometers) long in northern South Dakota flowing east into the Missouri River
4
the Colorado River from its source to its junction with the Green River in southeastern Utah
a former name

More from Merriam-Webster on grand

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