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

The series, which was unveiled this week, is modeled after tennis’ four grand slam events and will open in Kingston, Jamaica, in early April.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a grand privilege to be nominated,” said Guerra, who celebrated other artists and a higher power who inspired his album.

From Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office filed felony charges of identity theft, false impersonation and grand theft against Porter, according to Burbank police.

From Los Angeles Times

The sheriff’s and police departments shared license plate information and perhaps even more sensitive materials with out-of-state agencies, against state privacy protocols, Sacramento County’s grand jury says.

From Los Angeles Times

There was no pageantry or grand exposition behind its reason for being.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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