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

• choiceness
• distinction
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• perfection
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of greatness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These two n-s that I’ve just been blessed to even stand beside in this game, let alone chase — chase their greatness, right? —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024

Simpson used size and world-class sprinters’ speed for generational football greatness. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

With her contagious enthusiasm and boundless energy, Rylee consistently inspires those around her to strive for greatness. —Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

After the game, Clark and Reese shared a classy moment on the handshake line: there was no taunting, no histrionics, just two stars and competitors acknowledging each other’s greatness. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024

And as far as Leslie is concerned, working on the commercial was just a chance to link her own greatness to the next generation. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024

These individuals grew up in environments that consistently affirmed their potential for greatness, shaping their professional demeanor and approach. —Remi Adebonojo, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Not only is this revered, iconic pillar of American greatness badly hobbled amidst safety crises, but now its senior executive ranks have been hollowed out, with the board urgently searching for a leadership reset amidst a lack of obvious successors. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing greatness

• the stuff of greatness