grandiose

adjective

gran·​di·​ose ˈgran-dē-ˌōs  ˌgran-dē-ˈōs 

1

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

They did not believe his grandiose claims.

2

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

had grandiose plans for the city

grandiosely adverb

grandioseness noun

grandiosity

ˌgran-dē-ˈä-sə-tē 

noun

Did you know?

When it comes to bigness, there’s grand and then there’s grandiose. Both words can be used to describe something impressive in size, scope, or effect, but while grand may lend its noun a bit of dignity (i.e., “we had a grand time”), grandiose often implies a whiff of pretension. The difference between a grand plan for the city park and a grandiose one, for example, might be the difference between a tasteful fountain and a garden full of topiaries cut in the shapes of 19th century literary figures. So if you’re choosing between the two, a helpful mnemonic might be that the extra letters in grandiose suggest that one’s ideas, claims, promises, schemes, dreams—you get the idea—are a bit extra.

Synonyms

• magnificent
• epic
• glorious
• imposing
• majestic
• grand
• massive
• monumental
• proud
• impressive
• royal

Choose the Right Synonym for grandiose

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 grandiose in a Sentence

He was full of grandiose ideas.

a grandiose plan to upgrade the entire interstate highway system in 10 years

Recent Examples on the Web

The message continued in this grandiose and affirming vein, doing nothing to shake Taylor loose from the grip of his delusion. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025

From interviews with survivors, the authors determined that grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic partners both used strategies aimed at decentering their victims’ sense of self and keeping them emotionally bound. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

The achievements in mechanical watchmaking were ambitious and, in some cases, grandiose. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 15 June 2025

Guests echoed the event’s vibrant energy in their beauty looks, stunning in warm, glowy makeup and grandiose hairstyles on the baby blue carpet beforehand. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian grandioso, from grande great, from Latin grandis

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for grandiose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• comatose
• diagnose
• granulose
• levulose
• overdose
• ribulose

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Kids Definition

grandiose

adjective

gran·​di·​ose ˈgran-dē-ˌōs 

1

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

2

: characterized by deliberately assumed grandeur or splendor or by absurd exaggeration

grandiose schemes

grandiosely adverb

grandiosity

ˌgran-dē-ˈäs-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

grandiose

adjective

gran·​di·​ose ˈgran-dē-ˌōs  ˌgran-dē-ˈ 

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

a paranoid patient with grandiose delusions

grandiosely adverb

grandiosity

ˌgran-dē-ˈäs-ət-ē 

noun

plural grandiosities