grandioso

American  

[grahn-dee-oh-soh, gran-] / ˌgrɑn diˈoʊ soʊ, ˌgræn- /

adjective

1. grand and imposing.

2. Music. in a broad, commanding style.

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adverb

1. Music. in a broad, commanding style.

grandioso British  

/ ˌɡrændɪˈəʊsəʊ /

adjective

1. music (to be played) in a grand manner

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Etymology

Origin of grandioso

First recorded in 1780–90; from Italian: literally, “grand, imposing”; see origin at grandiose ( def. )

Explanation

When a pianist plays a passage marked grandioso, they play more slowly and with loud, heavy chords, so it sounds majestic. Singers in a choir can sing grandioso, too, especially to end a piece with a grand, majestic, awesome sound. Grandioso is Italian for "grand" or "majestic." We have a similar word in English, grandiose, but this word usually has a slightly negative vibe, suggesting that something is trying to sound grander or more impressive than it actually is. In music, a truly impressive, grandioso sound is typically achieved by slowing down, increasing the volume, and adding more harmony. To remind an orchestra to play grandioso, the conductor usually uses large arm movements. The word grandioso can be used as either an adverb or an adjective.

Example Sentences

To Dulcinea del Toboso: Dreams like mine are grandioso.

From Washington Post • Feb. 18, 2015

Horse is a term of derision where an officer assumes the grandioso, demanding honour where honour is not his due.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

Finally the trombone and tuba blaze out, fortissimo and grandioso, the jealousy theme in octaves.

From Shakespeare and Music by Wilson, Christopher

The grandioso effect of the first theme coming in augmentation for the coda is wonderfully good, and makes a really brilliant ending.

From Shakespeare and Music by Wilson, Christopher

These themes are worked out in a complex manner, and there is a curious fanfare effect before the coda, which is marked grandioso, in the major key, and is very triumphant.

From Shakespeare and Music by Wilson, Christopher