grand

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgrand 

1

a

: having more importance than others : foremost

b

: having higher rank than others bearing the same general designation

the grand champion

2

a

: inclusive, comprehensive

the grand total of all money paid out

b

: definitive, incontrovertible

grand example

3

: chief, principal

the grand ballroom

4

: large and striking in size, scope, extent, or conception

grand design

5

a

: lavish, sumptuous

a grand celebration

b

: marked by a regal form and dignity

c

: fine or imposing in appearance or impression

sported a grand mustache

d

: lofty, sublime

writing in the grand style

6

a

: pretending to social superiority : supercilious

b

: intended to impress

a person of grand gestures

7

: very good : wonderful

a grand time

grandly

ˈgran(d)-lē 

adverb

grandness

ˈgran(d)-nəs 

noun

grand

2 of 2

noun

1

: grand piano

2

plural grand, slang : a thousand dollars

Synonyms

Adjective

• august
• baronial
• epic
• gallant
• glorious
• grandiose
• heroic
• heroical
• Homeric
• imperial
• imposing
• magnific
• magnificent
• majestic
• massive
• monumental
• noble
• proud
• regal
• royal
• splendid
• stately

Choose the Right Synonym for grand

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of grand in a Sentence

Adjective

He thinks everything the government does is part of some grand conspiracy.

the beauty of nature's grand design

The neighborhood includes many grand old homes.

His job is much less grand than his title makes it sound.

My great aunt lived to the grand old age of 103.

Despite its grand name, the hotel is small and somewhat seedy.

He made some grand statements about the company's future.

They celebrated their anniversary in grand style.

He planned to make a grand entrance, driving up to the house in a fancy red sports car.

We won the grand prize.

Noun

He bought a used car for about five grand.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Now, just in time to celebrate its 12th anniversary, The Nash will have a grand reopening on Oct. 30 to celebrate its $2.5 million renovation and debut its new building, the John Dawson Center for Jazz Education. —Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 25 Oct. 2024

Here’s to a safe and secure vote, and to our grand exercise in democracy. —Sam Jacobs, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024

Noun

Today's sale price brings it well under a grand and saves you a big $500! —Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 22 Oct. 2024

All told, charging nonresident hunters half a grand for a deer tag is a smart tradeoff for state agencies. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Anglo-French grant, grand, large, great, grand, from Latin grandis

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing grand

• baby grand
• concert grand
• grand duchess
• grand duchy
• grand duke
• grand finale
• grand fir
• grand jury
• grand larceny
• grand mal
• grand mal epilepsy
• grand mal seizure
• grand manner
• grand march
• grand marshal
• grand master
• grand old man
• grand opening
• grand opera
• grand piano
• grand prix
• grand prize
• grand slam
• grand theft
• grand total
• grand tour
• grand touring car
• grand unified theory
• parlor grand

Kids Definition

grand

1 of 2 adjective

ˈgrand 

1

: higher in rank than others of the same class : foremost, principal

the grand champion

the grand prize

2

: great in size

3

: including all things being considered : complete

a grand total

4

a

: marked by magnificence : splendid

a grand coronation ceremony

b

: showing wealth or high social standing

the airs of a grand lady

5

: impressive

made grand statements about our progress

6

: very good : fine

grand weather

have a grand time

grandly

ˈgran-(d)lē 

adverb

grandness

ˈgran(d)-nəs 

noun

grand

2 of 2 noun

: grand piano

Legal Definition

grand

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a crime involving the theft of money or property valued at over a set amount

convicted of grand embezzlement

see also grand larceny at larceny, grand theft at theft compare petty

Geographical Definition

Grand

geographical name

1

river 260 miles (418 kilometers) long in southwestern Michigan flowing north and west into Lake Michigan

2

river 300 miles (483 kilometers) long in northwestern Missouri flowing southeast into the Missouri River

3

river 200 miles (322 kilometers) long in northern South Dakota flowing east into the Missouri River

4

the Colorado River from its source to its junction with the Green River in southeastern Utah

—a former name