grandiose

[ gran-dee-ohs, gran-dee-ohs ]

adjective

1. affectedly grand or important; pompous:

   grandiose words.

   Synonyms: extravagant, high-flown, splashy, flamboyant, affected, pretentious

2. more complicated or elaborate than necessary; overblown:

   a grandiose scheme.

3. grand in an imposing or impressive way.
4. Psychiatry. having an exaggerated belief in one's importance, sometimes reaching delusional proportions, and occurring as a common symptom of mental illnesses, as manic disorder.

grandiose

/ ˌɡrændɪˈɒsɪtɪ; ˈɡrændɪˌəʊs /

adjective

1. pretentiously grand or stately
2. imposing in conception or execution

Derived Forms

• grandiosity, noun
• ˈgrandiˌosely, adverb

Other Words From

• gran·di·ose·ly adverb
• gran·di·ose·ness gran·di·os·i·ty [gran-dee-, os, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandiose¹

First recorded in 1830–40; from French, from Italian grandioso, from Latin grandi(s) “grand” + -ōsus adjective suffix ( -ose ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandiose¹

C19: from French, from Italian grandioso, from grande great; see grand

Synonym Study

Grandiose, showy, ostentatious, pretentious all refer to conspicuous outward display, either designed to attract attention or likely to do so. Grandiose and showy are alike in that they may suggest impressiveness that is not objectionable: the grandiose sweep of the arch; a fresh bouquet of showy zinnias. Grandiose, however, most often implies inflation or exaggeration to the point of absurdity: grandiose, impractical plans; a ridiculously grandiose manner. Showy sometimes suggests a meretricious gaudiness or flashiness: a showy taste in dress. Ostentatious, which refers to behavior or manner clearly designed to impress, also has negative connotations: an ostentatious display of wealth; an assumption of superiority too ostentatious to be ignored. Pretentious, like the preceding term, is always derogatory, implying falseness or exaggeration in claims made or implied: natural and straightforward, not pretentious; pretentious language designed to mask the absence of real content.

Example Sentences

It swings from one extreme to another, matching Coppola’s grandiose gestures toward futurism, ancient history, symbolism, theatrical performance — and, at the heart of it all, love.

From Los Angeles Times

Too many of the people we call pundits looked at him and his ridiculous digital trading cards and saw the phantasmagorial grandiose delusions of someone with superpowers not to be taken seriously.

From Salon

Instead, elected officials and bureaucrats offer grandiose ideas, like making the Olympics car-free or closing off Wilshire Boulevard where it cuts through MacArthur Park.

From Los Angeles Times

It's why their love story is so grandiose in his head.

From Salon

Still, Harris’ plan is head and shoulders above the grandiose but gaseous promises Trump has offered.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambitious
• bombastic
• flamboyant
• grand
• imposing
• lofty
• magnificent
• monumental
• noble
• pompous
• pretentious
• showy
• splashy