grounded
Americanadjective
-
mentally or emotionally balanced; having a peaceful, practical, or realistic outlook.
His more grounded, common-sense view of the situation was a helpful counter to my flights of fancy.
I love being around them, because they're really grounded.
-
Aeronautics. (of an aircraft) being brought or restricted to the ground because of bad weather, the unsatisfactory condition of the aircraft, etc.
Grounded flights have cost airlines in excess of $2 billion this year alone.
-
Electricity. having a conducting connection between an electric circuit or equipment and the earth or some other conducting body.
This equipment must be plugged into a grounded outlet.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of grounded
First recorded in 1955–60; ground 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“This is a production car that’s in the real world that real people want to buy, and putting it in a context that felt more grounded felt very important.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Chris Eksteen, Ojai Raptor Center’s executive director, said fighting probably left Jackie grounded but did not cause her symptoms.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026
Kyiv also dismissed reports that its F-16 fighter jets -- another key tool used against jet-powered drones -- could be grounded due to delays in maintenance inspection and the supply of parts.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
The five were released on bail on Monday in what police described as an "investigative decision... grounded in experience and strategy".
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
“Then you’ll also understand why you’re grounded until I decide you aren’t.”
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
