grandeur

noun

gran·​deur ˈgran-jər 

-ˌju̇r, 

-ˌd(y)u̇r, 

-d(y)ər

1

: the quality or state of being grand : magnificence

… the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome.

—Edgar Allan Poe

2

: an instance or example of grandeur

visited the awesome grandeurs of the American West

Synonyms of grandeur

• majesty
• brilliance
• elegance
• glory
• nobility
• magnificence

Examples of grandeur in a Sentence

His paintings capture the beauty and grandeur of the landscape.

They are restoring the hotel to its original grandeur.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a 2024 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Bassett said that the grandeur of that moment was inspired by her own mother. —Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

For all its architectural and cultural grandeur, Vienna has never had much diversity of places to stay. —Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur. —Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

The Museum of Applied Arts is the setting for the waltz, and the grandeur of the Hofburg Palace is the scene for the polka. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, from grand

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grandeur

• amour
• auteur
• hauteur
• velour
• verdure
• voyeur
• doer
• poor
• poore
• raconteur

Kids Definition

grandeur

noun

gran·​deur ˈgran-jər 

1

: the quality or state of being grand : awe-inspiring magnificence

2

: something that is grand