grandiose

American  

[gran-dee-ohs, gran-dee-ohs] / ˈgræn diˌoʊs, ˌgræn diˈoʊs /

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 British  

/ ˌɡrændɪˈɒsɪtɪ, ˈɡrændɪˌəʊs /

adjective

1. pretentiously grand or stately

2. imposing in conception or execution

---

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• grandiosely
  adverb
• grandioseness
  noun
• grandiosity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of grandiose

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

Explanation

You've got big plans. Huge plans. Whatever it is, it's going to blow minds and absolutely rock worlds! Well, to some people those plans might sound a bit grandiose, or unnecessarily overblown and even highfalutin. Coming from the Italian word grandioso (meaning "grand" or "noble"), the adjective grandiose is kind of like Italian hand gestures: big, exaggerated, and over the top. And it's that excessiveness that pushes something grand (large, with an air of distinction) into grandiose (large, but trying too hard) territory.

Example Sentences

"Grandiose narcissism has been linked to seeking admiration, manipulativeness, and proneness to hostility when being criticized."

From Salon • May 17, 2023

Grandiose, complex orchestral scores, rooted in European Romanticism, are increasingly rare.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2022

Grandiose talk about “the values of Instagram,” starting with the principle of “being people first,” looks silly given its context — the introduction of in-app checkout.

From The Verge • Mar. 22, 2019

Grandiose and deadpan at the same time, Sinatra and Hazlewood's first duets collection sounds like Sonny and Cher getting one over on Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2018

Grandiose effects of light and shade over the courtyard.

From Amiel's Journal by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

Related Words

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