Merriam-Webster Word of The Day - Grandiose

WORD OF THE DAY March 27, 2018

grandiose    adjective | gran-dee-OHSS     Definition   1 : characterized by affectation of grandeur or splendor or by absurdexaggeration   2 : impressive because of uncommon largeness, scope, effect, or grandeur   Scroll down for more about grandiose      TRENDING NOW: omnibus acrimony excoriate terrorism SEE ALL      PEOPLE ARE READING   'Gorilla' or 'Guerrilla'?       How to ‘Zhuzh’ Up Your Vocabulary     The Ups and Downs of 'Carousel' and 'Carousal'       What's That Smell?         WORD GAMES AND QUIZZES: WEEKLY CHALLENGE   Up in the Sky: A Quiz   It's a bird? It's a plane? No, I'm really asking. What is it?     PLAY NOW     Nailed this quiz? We have plenty more to try!  TAKE ME THERE         Did You Know?   Grandiose, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, and grand all can mean very large and impressive. Grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity, as in "a grand staircase." Magnificent implies an extreme and impressive largeness 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, and 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").     Examples of GRANDIOSE   The committee eventually scaled back the most outlandish parts of its plans for the festival, including a grandiose scheme to bring in live peacocks for the event.   "I wonder if Louise ever imagined the magnitude of influence her work was to have on the planet. Probably not; for greatness such as hers is more likely to be born of purpose than of grandiose design." — Suzy Singh, Business World, 2 Sept. 2017   Test Your Vocabulary   Fill in the blanks to complete an adjective meaning "marked by majestic dignity or grandeur": _ ug _ _ t.   VIEW THE ANSWER           MERCH     Show Your Wordie Pride!   New swag now available — featuring our newly added words welp and wordie   CHECK OUT OUR SELECTION            MORE WORD FUN:     WORD GAMES          TRENDING NOW          WORDS AT PLAY