Grandstand
/ˈɡrændˌstænd/
verbnounB2
Definition
As a verb, "grandstand" means to behave in a way that tries to attract attention or praise, often by showing off or making a big show. As a noun, it means a large structure with many seats where people watch sports or performances.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Verb: To behave in a way that tries to get attention or praise, often by showing off
- •The politician grandstands during debates to win votes.
- •She grandstands in meetings to make sure everyone notices her ideas.
- •Athletes sometimes grandstand to get more fans.
Noun: A large seating area for spectators at sports or events
- •We sat in the grandstand to watch the baseball game.
- •The grandstand was full of cheering fans.
- •The concert had a grandstand for people to sit and watch comfortably.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "grandstand" like "show off" (A1 word) when used as a verb, but more about trying to impress a large audience, not just one person.
- ✓Picture a big sports stadium with many rows of seats filled with excited people watching a game—that is the grandstand (noun).
- ✓It's the feeling when someone does something loud or dramatic just to be noticed by many people.
- ✓Sounds like "GRAND-stand" → imagine a very big (grand) stand or stage where people perform to be seen.
- ✓Think of a player scoring a goal and then making a big celebration in front of the crowd to get applause—that is grandstanding.
- ✓NOT like "quiet" or "simple" behavior—grandstanding is loud and meant to attract attention.
- ✓NOT like "small talk" or private showing off—grandstanding is public and often on a big stage or in front of many people.
- ✓As a noun, NOT like a small chair or bench—it's a large structure for many spectators.
Try Other Words
- •Perform: to act or do something in front of others (Use when focusing on the action, not the attention-seeking part)
- •Boast: to talk proudly about yourself (Use when the attention is from words, not actions)
- •Spectator seating: place where people watch events (Use for the noun meaning, describing the grandstand structure)
- •Bleachers: simple seats for spectators, usually outdoors (Use when the seating is less formal or smaller than a grandstand)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "grand" (big, important) + "stand" (a place to stand or sit)
- •Etymology: From the idea of a large, important platform or seating area for watching events
- •Historical development: Originally a noun meaning a large seating area; later used as a verb meaning to act in a way to be seen on such a platform
- •Modern usage: Used as a noun for stadium seating and as a verb for attention-seeking behavior in sports, politics, and other public situations
Reflect & Connect
•How can grandstanding affect the way people see someone in a group or public event?
•Can grandstanding be positive, or is it always seen as negative? When might it be useful?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician grandstands during speeches to ___ the audience's support and ___ attention.
2.When an athlete grandstands, they often perform ___ actions to make fans ___ impressed.
3.Sitting in the grandstand gives you a ___ view of the game compared to standing on the ___.
4.Unlike quiet players, grandstanding players want to ___ and be the ___ of attention.
5.The crowd cheered loudly from the grandstand, showing their ___ for the team’s performance.
6.Grandstanding in meetings can sometimes ___ others because it feels like showing off rather than ___ ideas.
7.The grandstand was built to hold thousands of ___ who came to watch the event live.