grandeur

noun

gran·​deur ˈgran-jər How to pronounce grandeur (audio)
-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 RomeE. A. Poe
2
: an instance or example of grandeur
visited the awesome grandeurs of the American West

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 Perhaps the hardest thing about making bio-pics, at least ones regarding figures of actual greatness, is the inability of most directors to consider such heroes face to face, to share in the grandeur or the enormity of these protagonists’ inner lives. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 Hairstyles have echoed Motown stars, with beehives and bouffants mirroring the grandeur of The Supremes. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Mar. 2024 In the same way, building a winning majority in France, Ruffin told me, has always required speaking to its sense of grandeur. Elisabeth Zerofsky, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 But poor casting was only half of it — Charles Walters' 1955 adaptation unfortunately reimagines the heroine as an irascible antisocial brat with delusions of grandeur, all explained away by bizarre contemporary psychoanalysis provided in voice-over. EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 Part of Noble House's portfolio of resorts, this beauty exudes a sense of old Florida grandeur in a boutique hotel setting. Kara Franker, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024 While these historic homes range in style and grandeur, each adds something to Oahu’s character. Kristina Linnea Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 The Musical' July 22-Aug. 3, 2025 Pop the champagne and enter a world of splendor, romance, glitz and grandeur at this show, the winner of 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 In a country known for wedding spectacles, the pre-nuptial extravaganza for Anant Ambani will not only stand out for its sumptuous feasts and grandeur, but also as a testimony to Ambani’s deepening hold over many areas of the Indian economy. Anto Antony, Fortune Asia, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grandeur.' 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

French, from Old French, from grand

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandeur was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near grandeur

Cite this Entry

“Grandeur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandeur. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grandeur

noun
gran·​deur ˈgran-jər How to pronounce grandeur (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being grand : awe-inspiring magnificence
2
: something that is grand

More from Merriam-Webster on grandeur

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