grand Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
    yard; G; thou; thousand; M; chiliad; one thousand; K; 1000.
  2. noun a piano with the strings on a horizontal harp-shaped frame; usually supported by three legs
    grand piano.
  3. adjective satellite of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
    expansive; heroic.
    • an expansive lifestyle
    • in the grand manner
    • collecting on a grand scale
    • heroic undertakings
  4. adjective satellite of or befitting a lord
    august; lordly.
    • heir to a lordly fortune
    • of august lineage
  5. adjective satellite rich and superior in quality
    gilded; princely; sumptuous; opulent; luxurious; deluxe.
    • a princely sum
    • gilded dining rooms
  6. adjective satellite extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
    fantastic; marvelous; marvellous; terrific; howling; wonderful; wondrous; rattling; tremendous.
    • a fantastic trip to the Orient
    • the film was fantastic!
    • a howling success
    • a marvelous collection of rare books
    • had a rattling conversation about politics
    • a tremendous achievement
  7. adjective satellite of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
    idealistic; exalted; noble-minded; elevated; rarefied; rarified; high-flown; high-minded; sublime; lofty.
    • an exalted ideal
    • argue in terms of high-flown ideals"- Oliver Franks
    • a noble and lofty concept
    • a grand purpose
  8. adjective satellite large and impressive in physical size or extent
    • the bridge is a grand structure
  9. adjective satellite the most important and magnificent in adornment
    • grand ballroom
    • grand staircase
  10. adjective satellite used of a person's appearance or behavior; befitting an eminent person
    imposing; magisterial; distinguished.
    • his distinguished bearing
    • the monarch's imposing presence
    • she reigned in magisterial beauty

WordNet

Grand adjective
Etymology
OE. grant, grount, OF. grant, F. grand, fr. L. grandis; perh. akin to gravis heavy, E. grave, a. Cf. Grandee.
Wordforms
comparative Grander ; superlative Grandest
Definitions
  1. Of large size or extent; great; extensive; hence, relatively great; greatest; chief; principal; as, a grand mountain; a grand army; a grand mistake. "Our grand foe, Satan." Milton.
    Making so bold . . . to unseal Their grand commission. Shak.
  2. Great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression; illustrious, dignifled, or noble (said of persons); majestic, splendid, magnificent, or sublime (said of things); as, a grand monarch; a grand lord; a grand general; a grand view; a grand conception.
    They are the highest models of expression, the unapproached masters of the grand style. M. Arnold.
  3. Having higher rank or more dignity, size, or importance than other persons or things of the same name; as, a grand lodge; a grand vizier; a grand piano, etc.
  4. Standing in the second or some more remote degree of parentage or descent; -- generalIy used in composition; as, grandfather, grandson, grandchild, etc.
    What cause Mov'd our grand parents, in that happy state, Favor'd of Heaven so highly, to fall off From their Creator. Milton.
    Syn. -- Magnificent; sublime; majestic; dignified; elevated; stately; august; pompous; lofty; eralted; noble. -- Grand, Magnificent, Sublime. Grand, in reference to objects of taste, is applied to that which expands the mind by a sense of vastness and majesty; magnificent is applied to anything which is imposing from its splendor; sublime describes that which is awful and elevating. A cataract is grand; a rich and varied landscape is magnificent; an overhanging precipice is sublime. "Grandeur admits of degrees and modifications; but magnificence is that which has already reached the highest degree of superiority naturally belonging to the object in question." Crabb.

Webster 1913