grandeur

noun

gran·​deur ˈgran-jər 

-ˌju̇r,

-ˌd(y)u̇r,

-d(y)ər

1

: the quality or state of being grand : magnificence

the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome

—E. A. Poe

2

: an instance or example of grandeur

visited the awesome grandeurs of the American West

Synonyms

• augustness
• brilliance
• gloriousness
• glory
• gorgeousness
• grandness
• magnificence
• majesty
• nobility
• nobleness
• resplendence
• resplendency
• splendidness
• splendiferousness
• splendor
• stateliness
• stupendousness
• sublimeness
• superbness

Examples of grandeur in a Sentence

His paintings capture the beauty and grandeur of the landscape.

They are restoring the hotel to its original grandeur.

Recent Examples on the Web

For all the grandeur, o1 has some familiar limitations. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

Ellen and her husband, Thomas (Nicholas Hoult), have a modest flat but aspire to the grandeur of their best friends, Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin). —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

The atmosphere is enhanced by the hand-in-hand elements of Damian Volpe’s heavy soundscape and Robin Carolan’s moody score, which ranges from symphonic grandeur to agitato strings, pipes and horns specific to the region at that time to queasy atonal groans. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024

Any delusions of grandeur were dashed, done in amid constant fourth-quarter collapses. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, from grand

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

grandeur

noun

gran·​deur ˈgran-jər 

1

: the quality or state of being grand : awe-inspiring magnificence

2

: something that is grand