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.

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grandiose British  

/ ˈɡrændɪˌəʊs /

adjective

1. pretentiously grand or stately

2. imposing in conception or execution

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Synonym Usage

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

• grandioseness
  noun
• grandiosity
  noun
• grandiosely
  adverb

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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)

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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

See Examples For:

grandiose

By spinning the final chorus out of the foundational lullaby, he helps ensure that the work’s grandiose ending remains heartfelt rather that bombastic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

His grandiose offer is excellent marketing for SpaceX.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026

Kao’s dinner with Graham was part of his grandiose plan to make Navatek a major defense contractor.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

The clicky videos, the snaking lines of customers, the grandiose launch parties—it echoes similar consumer hype trends of the past, like McDonald’s hyperviral Travis Scott Meal or infamous Rick and Morty–fueled Szechuan Sauce incident.

From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026

As the student brought it up to me, Hemme smiled in genuine amusement, certain that the more grandiose my preparations were, the greater my embarrassment would be in the end.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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Related Words

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

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