greatness

[greyt-nis]

noun

1. the quality or state of being important, notable, or distinguished.

   The goal is to inspire students to achieve greatness by taking risks, working hard, and pushing their limits.

   The town is considered an important historical landmark, and is known primarily for its architectural greatness and venerable history.

2. the quality or state of being powerful or intense.

   Those who are deemed incurable by reason of the greatness of their crimes are banished and never allowed to return.

3. the quality or state of being large in size, stature, number, etc..

   The ancient stone walls, towering close to 200 feet high, impress with their greatness.

Other Word Forms

• overgreatness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of greatness¹

great ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

His father, Richard Taylor, once said he wanted his son's name "to be a symbol of greatness, not sorrow."

Read more on BBC

There's been Louis Bielle-Biarrey's brilliance for France, Argentina's amazing comeback against Scotland, England's emergence as a global force, and South Africa cementing their greatness with formidable victories in Paris and Dublin.

Read more on BBC

This is the 10th anniversary of a season that makes people smile when they reminisce about all the personalities involved, all the images they saw, all the greatness that was on display.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They say it’s old and decaying by the day, a shell of its former greatness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That “Wicked: For Good” falls short of greatness doesn’t mean it’s bad.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dignity 
• fame 
• generosity 
• glory 
• grandeur 
• heroism 
• importance 
• majesty 
• merit 
• morality 
• nobility 
• prominence