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

Machado’s greatness at third base affords him a cushion most players lack. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2025

But everyone in this movie, rich or poor, seems to be on the edge of polite society, working their own angle while our hero strives for greatness. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Dec. 2025

There’s a section of the Warriors fan base that believes the best course of action would be to trade Green and let the Warriors try to find a new identity behind the offensive greatness of Curry and the offensive stability of Jimmy Butler. —Nick Friedell, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025

Throw in a few more Pro Bowl nods, years of jersey swaps, game balls, other awards and soon, a trophy case won’t be enough for all that greatness. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025

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