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grandiose

Adjective

IPA /ˈɡrændiəʊs/

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Meaning in plain English

Impressively large or ambitious in a way that seems unrealistic or excessive.

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Pronunciation

grandiose/ˈɡrændiəʊs/

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The available space is very small
The plan includes a huge, elaborate complex
Its scale is unrealistic

A grandiose plan seems impressive but excessively ambitious or impractical.

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Their grandiose plan for the tiny garden included a fountain and three terraces.
The review criticised the proposal's grandiose promises and weak evidence.

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Their ________ plan for the tiny garden included a fountain and three terraces.

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grandiose — Impressively large or ambitious in a way that seems unrealistic or excessive.

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Impressively large or ambitious in a way that seems unrealistic or excessive.

Compare: Their grandiose plan for the tiny garden included a fountain and three terraces.

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Word origin

Through French from Italian grandioso, related to grande, meaning grand.

Did you know?

Grandiose often expresses criticism even though grand can be complimentary.

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