grand

¹

[ grand ]

adjective

, grand·er, grand·est.

1. impressive in size, appearance, or general effect:

   grand mountain scenery.

   Antonyms: insignificant

2. stately, majestic, or dignified:

   In front of an audience her manner is grand and regal.

   Synonyms: exalted, royal, regal, princely

   Antonyms: unassuming, modest

3. highly ambitious or idealistic:

   grand ideas for bettering the political situation.

   Antonyms: mean, small

4. magnificent or splendid:

   a grand palace.

   Synonyms: superb, brilliant, palatial, large, great

5. noble or revered:

   a grand old man.

6. highest, or very high, in rank or official dignity:

   a grand potentate.

7. main or principal; chief:

   the grand ballroom.

   Antonyms: minor

8. of great importance, distinction, or pretension:

   a man used to entertaining grand personages.

9. complete or comprehensive:

   a grand total.

   Synonyms: inclusive

10. pretending to grandeur, as a result of minor success, good fortune, etc.; conceited:

    Jane is awfully grand since she got promoted.

11. first-rate; very good; splendid:

    to have a grand time; to feel grand.

12. Music. written on a large scale or for a large ensemble:

    a grand fugue.

noun

, plural grands grand

1. grand piano.
2. Informal. an amount equal to a thousand dollars:

   The cops found most of the loot, but they're still missing about five grand.

grand-

²

1. a combining form used in genealogical terminology meaning “one generation more remote”:

   grandfather; grandnephew.

grand

¹

/ ɡrænd /

adjective

1. large or impressive in size, extent, or consequence

   grand mountain scenery

2. characterized by or attended with magnificence or display; sumptuous

   a grand feast

3. of great distinction or pretension; dignified or haughty
4. designed to impress

   he punctuated his story with grand gestures

5. very good; wonderful
6. comprehensive; complete

   a grand total

7. worthy of respect; fine

   a grand old man

8. large or impressive in conception or execution

   grand ideas

9. most important; chief

   the grand arena

noun

1. short for grand piano
2. slang.
   grand a thousand pounds or dollars

grand-

²

prefix

1. (in designations of kinship) one generation removed in ascent or descent

   grandson

   grandfather

Derived Forms

• ˈgrandness, noun
• ˈgrandly, adverb

Other Words From

• grandly adverb
• grandness noun
• un·grand adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; 1920–25 grand fordef 14; Middle English gra(u)nd, gra(u)nt, from Old French grant, grand, from Latin grandis “great, large, full-grown”

Origin of grand²

Special use of grand

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand¹

C16: from Old French, from Latin grandis

Origin of grand²

from French grand-, on the model of Latin magnus in such phrases as avunculus magnus great-uncle

Example Sentences

So many of us will have been tempted by the offer of grand promises, but as we hear so often, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

From BBC

Bates pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor grand theft and resisting a police officer, according to court records.

From Los Angeles Times

In March 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Gaulden, accusing the musician of possessing an unregistered firearm and “possession of firearms by a convicted felon” in connection to a 2020 case.

From Los Angeles Times

At the moment Trump left office in January 2021, a grand total of 11 percent of Americans said they were satisfied, which was way worse than the numbers under Biden.

From Salon

Nicknamed "the grand complication", it is believed to be the most valuable watch in the world, and represents something of a holy grail for horologists.

From BBC

Related Words

• ambitious
• awe-inspiring
• dignified
• glorious
• grandiose
• imposing
• large
• lofty
• luxurious
• magnificent
• marvelous
• monumental
• noble
• opulent
• palatial
• splendid
• stately
• sumptuous