stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē 

statelier; stateliest

1

a

: marked by lofty or imposing dignity

b

: haughty, unapproachable

2

: impressive in size or proportions

stateliness noun

stately adverb

Synonyms

• august
• dignified
• distingué
• distinguished
• imposing
• portly
• solemn
• staid

Choose the Right Synonym for stately

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 stately in a Sentence

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests

a stately dowager in an evening gown

Recent Examples on the Web

The stately four-poster bed is a piece from Hollywood at Home, for which Dunham designed custom white sheer linen curtains with a blue linen border. —Rachel Gallaher, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2024

Every part of the stately people’s body is bigger and more sculpted than before, from the front end to the protective cladding running along the bottom of the vehicle. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 June 2024

John Everett Benson, a stone carver whose lapidary inscriptions mark the grave of President John F. Kennedy and sites including the National Gallery of Art, conferring elegant permanence and permanent elegance with their stately strokes and serifs, died June 13 in Newport, R.I. —Emily Langer, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

The stately three-story brick and limestone structure, at 19366 Lucerne Drive, was completed in the mid-1920s and was once owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit and home to Catholic Bishop Michael Gallagher. —Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 5 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stately

• stately home

Kids Definition

stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē 

statelier; stateliest

: impressively grand in appearance, manner, or size

stateliness noun