stately

1 of 2

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē 

statelier; stateliest

1

a

: marked by lofty or imposing dignity

b

: haughty, unapproachable

2

: impressive in size or proportions

stateliness noun

stately adverb

stateliness

2 of 2

noun

state·​li·​ness

-ātlēnə̇s, 

-lin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being stately: such as

a

: impressiveness in scale or proportion : majesty, grandeur

who can deny to the architecture of nature a certain stateliness

—W. M. Dixon

b(1)

: imposing or courtly formality (as in appearance or manner) : aloofness

his stateliness often repelled people

(2)

: impressive dignity or loftiness : grandness

a nobility and stateliness of character

—Sheldon Cheney

(3)

: elevation of style or expression : sublimity

the stateliness of biblical prose

Synonyms of stately

Adjective

• imposing

Choose the Right Synonym for stately

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 stately in a Sentence

Adjective

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests

a stately dowager in an evening gown

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many in the crowd were dressed as if for a performance at the stately Washington, DC, venue. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 13 June 2026

The result was a stately Victorian complete with turrets, detailed brickwork and enough grandeur that Gunnison has called it a castle ever since. —Kevin Strong, CBS News, 12 June 2026

The stately foyer, adorned with granite, murals and statuary, would be kept intact and open to all. —Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

The event marked the 90th anniversary of Fendi, flanked by an exhibition at the company’s headquarters at the stately Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. —Luisa Zargani For Wwd, ARTnews.com, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stately

• stately home

Rhymes for stately

• innately
• ornately
• pinnately
• sedately
• greatly
• lately
• precipitately

Kids Definition

stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē 

statelier; stateliest

: impressively grand in appearance, manner, or size

stateliness noun