grandiose
/ˈɡræn.di.oʊs/- 1.
Impressively large or ambitious in scale, but in a way that often feels unrealistic or exaggerated. If something is grandiose, it tries so hard to be great that it ends up seeming over the top.
- His grandiose plans to build a tower twice the size of the Eiffel Tower never happened.
- The government announced a grandiose infrastructure project with no clear budget.
- She spoke in a grandiose style that made simple ideas sound complicated.
- 2.
Used to describe a person who thinks or speaks as if they are far more important or powerful than they really are. This sense often appears in psychology to describe inflated self-belief.
- The CEO's grandiose self-image led to poor business decisions.
- His grandiose claims about his own achievements embarrassed his colleagues.
Adinary Nuance
Grandiose sits close to grand, magnificent, and ambitious, but it carries a critical edge that those words do not. Saying something is grand or magnificent is a compliment — it means genuinely impressive. Calling something grandiose suggests it is trying too hard, or that the scale does not match the reality behind it. Compare: "a grand vision for the nation" (admiring) vs. "a grandiose vision for the nation" (sceptical). It also differs from pompous, which describes tone or manner of speaking; grandiose can describe plans, buildings, or ideas — not just speech. In academic and IELTS writing, using grandiose signals critical analysis, so it is a powerful word when you want to question the ambition of a policy or plan.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Phô trương, hoành tráng quá mức
- Spanish
- Grandioso
- Chinese
- 浮夸的
- Japanese
- 大げさな
- Korean
- 과대한
Etymology
From French "grandiose" and Italian "grandioso," both derived from Latin "grandis" meaning "great" or "large." The word entered English in the early 19th century, initially used positively but increasingly carrying a tone of excess or pretension.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'grandiose' a negative word?
- Usually, yes. It implies that something is over-ambitious, exaggerated, or pretentious. Unlike 'grand' or 'magnificent,' 'grandiose' almost always signals criticism or scepticism.
- What is the difference between 'grandiose' and 'grand'?
- 'Grand' is a compliment meaning genuinely impressive or dignified. 'Grandiose' means something is trying to look impressive but feels excessive or unrealistic. The difference is tone: admiring vs. critical.
- Can I use 'grandiose' in IELTS or academic writing?
- Yes, and it works very well. Use it when you want to critically evaluate an idea, policy, or plan that seems overly ambitious. It shows sophisticated vocabulary and analytical thinking.
- Is 'grandiose' used in everyday spoken English?
- It is more common in written and formal English than in casual conversation. In everyday speech, people might say 'over the top' or 'too ambitious' instead.