WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
grand /grænd/USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est, n.
adj.
n. [countable]
grand•ness, n. [uncountable]
grand-,
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- impressive in size, appearance, or general effect:grand mountain scenery.
- stately;
dignified:a grand and regal manner. - highly ambitious or idealistic, often with unreal hopes of achieving success or anything important:grand schemes.
- respected;
esteemed:a grand old man. - complete;
comprehensive:[before a noun]the grand total. - first-rate;
splendid:We had a grand time.
n. [countable]
- Music and Dancegrand piano.
- Informal Terms[countable* singular only]a thousand dollars.
grand•ness, n. [uncountable]
grand-,
- a combining form used in words describing family relationships, with the meaning "one generation different or removed'' from the relation described by the base word:grandmother (= the mother who is one generation before one's mother;one's mother's mother);grandnephew (= the nephew who is one generation after one's nephew).
grand
(grand),USA pronunciation adj., grand•er, grand•est, n., pl. grands for 13, grand for 14.
adj.
n.
grand′ly, adv.
grand′ness, n.
grand-,
adj.
- impressive in size, appearance, or general effect:grand mountain scenery.
- stately, majestic, or dignified:In front of an audience her manner is grand and regal.
- highly ambitious or idealistic:grand ideas for bettering the political situation.
- magnificent or splendid:a grand palace.
- noble or revered:a grand old man.
- highest, or very high, in rank or official dignity:a grand potentate.
- main or principal;
chief:the grand ballroom. - of great importance, distinction, or pretension:a man used to entertaining grand personages.
- complete or comprehensive:a grand total.
- pretending to grandeur, as a result of minor success, good fortune, etc.;
conceited:Jane is awfully grand since she got promoted. - first-rate;
very good;
splendid:to have a grand time; to feel grand. - Music and Dancewritten on a large scale or for a large ensemble:a grand fugue.
n.
- Music and DanceSee grand piano.
- Informal Termsan amount equal to a thousand dollars:The cops found most of the loot, but they're still missing about five grand.
- Latin grand- (stem of grandis) great, large full-grown
- Old French grant, grand
- 1350–1400; 1920–25 for def. 14; Middle English gra(u)nd, gra(u)nt
grand′ness, n.
- 2. princely, regal, royal, exalted. 4. great, large, palatial; brilliant, superb. 9. inclusive.
- 1. insignificant. 2. modest, unassuming. 3. small; mean. 7. minor.
grand-,
- a combining form used in genealogical terminology meaning "one generation more remote'':grandfather; grandnephew.
- special use of grand
'grandly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):