greatness

noun

great·​ness ˈgrāt-nəs 

: the quality or state of being great (as in size, skill, achievement, or power)

Today, many Inca buildings still stand—all witnesses to an empire of unforgettable greatness.

—Michelle Laliberte

An understanding of the visible world became a better way of understanding the greatness of God.

—Mario Salvadori

I came back convinced that bourbon and its cousins are America's contribution to world distillery, with as strong a claim to greatness as anything from Scotland, Ireland, or Canada.

—Corby Kummer

… young team that came within a game of reaching the World Series, a team on the verge of greatness.

—Barry Rozner

Tyson, 33, has long since abandoned any claim to boxing greatness, having squandered his promise in two jail sentences, a suspension and several gory defeats.

—Richard Hoffer

Synonyms of greatness

• excellence
• excellency

Examples of greatness in a Sentence

a poet whose work is of enduring greatness

the overwhelming greatness of the canyon is what visitors first notice

Recent Examples on the Web

Having this premiere at the only high school in Gary was intentional, and city leaders hope youngsters growing up there can recognize that greatness comes from the city. —Jermont Terry, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Preserving that fragile illusion of greatness, no matter what cost, becomes the only real, overarching leadership priority. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

American greatness isn’t achieved by wasting money on a bloated military budget. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

Keep in mind, if Pivetta must be replaced, greatness won’t be needed. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing greatness

• the stuff of greatness

Rhymes for greatness

• lateness
• straightness