Grand
/ɡrænd/
Definitions
4 meaningsImpressive, magnificent, or imposing in appearance or size.
/ɡrænd/
Impressive and magnificent
The grand ballroom was filled with guests.
💡 Simply: Imagine something really big and fancy, like a huge castle or a fancy party. It’s impressive and makes you say 'Wow!'.
👶 For kids: Super fancy and amazing. Like a big, beautiful castle!
More Examples
The view from the mountaintop was grand.
She lived in a grand mansion with a sprawling garden.
How It's Used
"The cathedral has a grand facade."
"They held a grand celebration for their anniversary."
Important, significant, or on a large scale.
/ɡrænd/
Important or significant
The grand opening of the museum was a huge success.
💡 Simply: When something's grand, it's a big deal, like a really important plan or a huge project that changes things.
👶 For kids: Important or big. Like a really big plan!
More Examples
They had a grand vision for the future.
The grand strategy involved multiple countries.
How It's Used
"He played a grand role in the historical event."
"The grand plan was finally put into action."
Related to the generation that is one step before or after a parent. For example, a grandparents, or grandchildren.
/ɡrænd/
Of a certain generation removed in relation to a parent
My grandparents were visiting.
💡 Simply: Relating to grandparents or grandchildren.
👶 For kids: Grand means relating to grandparents or grandchildren!
More Examples
My grandmother baked us cookies.
How It's Used
"My grand parents are coming to visit."
One thousand dollars (informal).
/ɡrænd/
An amount of money (informal)
The concert tickets cost a grand.
💡 Simply: Think of grand as a way to say 'a thousand dollars' in a casual way. Like, 'That car cost 20 grand!'
👶 For kids: When people say 'grand', they often mean a thousand dollars!
More Examples
She saved a grand for a trip.
He won a grand in the lottery.
How It's Used
"The car cost 20 grand."
"He made a grand selling the shares."
Idioms & expressions
Grand jury
A legal body that examines criminal accusations and decides whether to bring indictments.
"The grand jury will investigate the case."
From Old French 'grant,' meaning 'great,' 'large,' or 'noble,' ultimately derived from the Latin 'grandis,' meaning 'large' or 'full-grown.'
The word 'grand' has been used since the 13th century, evolving from its original meaning of 'large' to encompass ideas of importance, magnificence, and nobility.
Memory tip
Think of a grand palace with opulent details.