Words / C2

GRAND-ee-ohs/ˈɡrændiəʊs/

Grandiose means bigger or more impressive than is needed, often unrealistically: grandiose plans, a grandiose scheme. Grand can be praise; grandiose is usually a warning. Grandiloquent (this batch) is pompous language. Do not file a spreadsheet join as a grandiose “platform”.

Meaning

More complicated or impressive than is necessary, often unrealistically.

Examples

• “A grandiose “world-leading” slide sat on a spreadsheet join.”
• “Ambitious can be fair. Grandiloquent is diction. Grand is often positive (a grand piano; a grand old building). Unrealistic is the everyday judgement. A title slide is not an architecture.”

Good to know

Over-ambitious; showily huge. Everyday: unrealistic / over-ambitious. Contrast: grand (can praise); grandiloquent (words). A join is not a platform.

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