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

A large, grand portrait of industrious family nanny Veronica, who was also Sir Jacob's nanny when he was a child, hangs in the hallway of the Rees-Moggs' London home.

From BBC

The diehard supporter of the president-elect has shared grand designs for the bureau, and that's set off alarm bells among pundits, elected officials and intelligence reporters.

From Salon

McLaren can clinch the constructors’ championship in the grand prix with one race still to go, but only if they finish one-two and take the fastest lap.

From BBC

McLaren will clinch the constructors’ title this weekend if they finish one-two in both the sprint and the grand prix and claim fastest lap in the main race on Sunday.

From BBC

There is a further qualifying session later that day to set the grid for the grand prix.

From BBC

Related Words

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