Word: grandiloquent (adjective)

Associations

The word "grandiloquent" means using big, fancy, or impressive words, often to sound important or show off. It is often used when someone talks in a way that sounds too formal or exaggerated.

• In a speech, a grandiloquent style might include many long and complicated words to impress the audience.
• A writer may use grandiloquent language to make their story seem more serious or dramatic.
• Sometimes, people describe a person's way of speaking as grandiloquent when it feels too showy or over the top.

Synonym: "pretentious" — Both mean showing off, but "pretentious" often has a negative feeling about trying to seem better than you are, while "grandiloquent" focuses more on the style of speaking or writing.

Substitution

Instead of "grandiloquent," you could say:

• "pompous" (sounds self-important)
• "bombastic" (using big words but with little meaning)
• "flowery" (using many decorative words) Each changes the tone slightly. For example, "bombastic" often means loud and empty speech, while "flowery" means very decorative language.

Deconstruction

The word comes from Latin:

• "grandis" means "large" or "great"
• "loqui" means "to speak"
• The suffix "-ent" makes it an adjective describing someone or something that speaks in a grand or impressive way. So, "grandiloquent" literally means "speaking in a grand or lofty manner."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone spoke in a grandiloquent way? How did it make you feel?
• Do you think using grandiloquent language is good or bad in everyday conversation? Why?
• How would you explain something simply instead of using grandiloquent words?