greatness

noun

great·​ness ˈgrāt-nəs 

: the quality or state of being great (as in size, skill, achievement, or power)

Today, many Inca buildings still stand—all witnesses to an empire of unforgettable greatness.

—Michelle Laliberte

An understanding of the visible world became a better way of understanding the greatness of God.

—Mario Salvadori

I came back convinced that bourbon and its cousins are America's contribution to world distillery, with as strong a claim to greatness as anything from Scotland, Ireland, or Canada.

—Corby Kummer

… young team that came within a game of reaching the World Series, a team on the verge of greatness.

—Barry Rozner

Tyson, 33, has long since abandoned any claim to boxing greatness, having squandered his promise in two jail sentences, a suspension and several gory defeats.

—Richard Hoffer

Synonyms

• choiceness
• distinction
• excellence
• excellency
• first-rateness
• perfection
• preeminence
• primeness
• superbness
• superiority
• supremacy

Examples of greatness in a Sentence

a poet whose work is of enduring greatness

the overwhelming greatness of the canyon is what visitors first notice

Recent Examples on the Web

Clark has always seemed destined for greatness, if not friendship with the biggest pop star in the world. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

Expect big speeches, bigger personalities, and a reminder that the West Coast has always been a hotbed for motorsports greatness. —Greg Engle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Literary greatness often inhibits directors, who end up paying prudent homage to the source rather than engaging in the bold revisions that successful adaptations require. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024

From classic, game-changing rap records to successful business ventures, The Book of HOV is a captivating visual journey of Jay’s life and accomplishments, rising from the ashes and setting the stage for greatness. —Alex Gonzalez, SPIN, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing greatness

• the stuff of greatness