grounded

American  

[groun-did] / ˈgraʊn dɪd /

adjective

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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grounded British  

/ ˈɡraʊndɪd /

adjective

1. sensible and down-to-earth; having one's feet on the ground

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Other Word Forms

• groundedly adverb
• groundedness noun

Etymology

Origin of grounded

First recorded in 1955–60; ground ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

"We are seeing evidence that grounded ridges are not forming where they used to," Mahoney said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

But the selloff is grounded in reality, according to Weed.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Californians deserve policies grounded in economic reality — and when it comes to housing, that means building more.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Ms. Alexander, deservedly Oscar-nominated for the role, creates a grounded, subtle portrait of persevering motherhood, Carol’s husband never having returned from San Francisco and very likely dead.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

We’d be grounded for all eternity, at this rate.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• alive
• appreciative
• apprehensive
• attentive
• awake
• cognizant
• conscious
• familiar
• informed
• mindful
• receptive
• wise