Grandiloquent
/ˌɡræn.dɪˈlɒk.wənt/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Grandiloquent means using very formal, big, or fancy words when talking or writing. People who are grandiloquent often want to sound smart, important, or impressive, but sometimes it can feel too much or hard to understand.
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See It in Action
Using very fancy or formal language to impress others
- •The professor’s grandiloquent lecture made the subject seem very important.
- •His grandiloquent speech was full of long words that few people understood.
- •She spoke in a grandiloquent style to show her knowledge.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "grandiloquent" like "talking" (A1 word), but with very big and fancy words added to sound important
- ✓Picture someone giving a speech with long, complicated words that make the audience feel the speaker is very serious or proud
- ✓It's the feeling when someone tries to impress you with their language, but you might feel confused or think they are showing off
- ✓Sounds like "GRAND-ill-o-quent" → imagine a grand (big) palace where someone speaks with a big voice and big words
- ✓Think of a character in a movie who uses big words to sound powerful or smart, but sometimes it feels too much or not natural
- ✓NOT like "simple" or "plain" speech, which is easy and clear; grandiloquent speech is often more complicated and formal
- ✓NOT like "quiet" or "soft" speaking; grandiloquent is loud or strong in style to attract attention
Try Other Words
- •Pompous: showing off with words or actions (Use when someone sounds proud or self-important in a negative way)
- •Bombastic: using big words to sound important but with little real meaning (Use when the speech sounds loud but empty)
- •Ornate: very decorated or detailed (Use when describing style that is richly decorated, not just language)
- •Eloquent: clear and effective speaking or writing (Use when the speech is impressive but still clear and pleasant)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "grand-" means big or important
- •Root: "loqu-" comes from Latin "loqui," meaning "to speak"
- •Suffix: "-ent" is an adjective ending meaning "having the quality of"
- •Origin: From Latin "grandiloquens," meaning "speaking grandly or proudly"
- •Historical use: First used in English in the 1600s to describe a style of speech that is very formal and showy
- •Modern use: Used to describe language that is very fancy or formal, often to impress or sometimes to seem too much
Reflect & Connect
•When can grandiloquent language be helpful, and when can it be a problem in communication?
•How do you feel when someone uses very big or fancy words—do you feel impressed, confused, or something else?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician’s grandiloquent speech was designed to ___ the audience with impressive words.
2.Sometimes, grandiloquent language can make a message ___ for people who do not know many big words.
3.Unlike simple talk, grandiloquent speech often uses ___ words to show importance.
4.When a person speaks grandiloquent, they might be trying to ___ their knowledge or power.
5.Grandiloquent phrases are often ___ with formal or difficult vocabulary.
6.In writing, grandiloquent style usually ___ the use of long, complex sentences.
7.If a speaker wants to be clear and easy to understand, they should avoid being ___.