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

• august
• baronial
• epic
• gallant
• glorious
• grand
• heroic
• heroical
• Homeric
• imperial
• imposing
• magnific
• magnificent
• majestic
• massive
• monumental
• noble
• proud
• regal
• royal
• splendid
• stately

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

Many New Kingdom pharaohs used the taxes collected by these officials to erect major monuments and throw grandiose jubilee celebrations. —Kate McMahon, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

What if biopics of Black men and women weren’t so linear and grandiose? —Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024

To remedy this, the Greek government embarked on excavations and a building program, erecting grandiose public edifices, museums and a university in the neoclassical style. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

Doctor Who promises another gripping, grandiose joyride through time and space when the beloved sci-fi series returns for another season on May 10 on Disney+. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024

Dune: Part Two maintains the grandiose visual style introduced in Dune while also paying more attention to story and character development. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2024

In a new musical film adaptation of The Color Purple, which was released last year, the juke joint scene is Broadway-esque and more grandiose than the original. —Korsha Wilson, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2024

The Ukrainians weren’t sure what to think of the man making grandiose promises across the ornate wooden table. —TIME, 8 Feb. 2024

Bow down! 02 of 28 2023: Hip-Hop Greats Reunited for 50th Anniversary The 2023 Grammys saluted hip-hop's 50th anniversary in grandiose fashion. —Maria Yagoda, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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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