grandiloquent

G2R1A1N1D2I1L1O1Q10U1E1N1T1
UK, US/ɡɹænˈdɪl.ə.kwənt/

adjective

Given to using language in a showy way by using an excessive number of difficult words to impress others; bombastic; turgid.

Similar
verbosemagniloquenttallrhetoricaloverblownpompouspontificalportentous
OriginMiddle French grandiloquent ← Latin grandiloquus →
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Meanings

adjectivegrandiloquent (comparative more grandiloquent, superlative most grandiloquent)

comparative more grandiloquent · superlative most grandiloquent

  1. their language or writingGiven to using language in a showy way by using an excessive number of difficult words to impress others; bombastic; turgid.

    The American people believe that they have a free country, and we are treated to grandiloquent speeches about our flag and our reputation for freedom and enlightenment.

    1898, William Graham Sumner, “The Conquest of the United States by Spain”, in War and Other Essays, Yale, published 1911, page 324

    Synonyms: verbose

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveGiven to using language in a showy way by using an excessive number of difficult words to impress others; bombastic; turgid.

Similar
verbose

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivelofty in style

Similar
magniloquenttallrhetorical

adjectivepuffed up with vanity

Similar
overblownpompouspontificalportentouspretentious
Also see
magniloquentorotundoverblownpompouspontificalportentouspretentioustalltumid

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Latingrandiloquus
  2. Middle Frenchgrandiloquent
  3. Englishgrandiloquent

From Middle French grandiloquent, from Latin grandiloquus, from grandis (“great, full”) + loquēns, present participle of loquor (“to speak”). Compare eloquent.

More words from Middle French, Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian надут, високопарен
  • надут (nadut)overly wordy or elaborate
  • високопарен (visokoparen)overly wordy or elaborate
Catalan grandiloqüent
  • grandiloqüentoverly wordy or elaborate
Czech velkohubý
  • velkohubýoverly wordy or elaborate
Finnish mahtipontinen, suurieleinen
  • mahtipontinenoverly wordy or elaborate
  • suurieleinenoverly wordy or elaborate
French grandiloquent
  • grandiloquentoverly wordy or elaborate
Greek μεγαλόστομος, μεγαλορρήμονας
  • μεγαλόστομος (megalóstomos)overly wordy or elaborate
  • μεγαλορρήμονας (megalorrímonas)overly wordy or elaborate
  • πομπώδης (pompódis)overly wordy or elaborate
Hungarian szónokias, dagályos
  • szónokiasoverly wordy or elaborate
  • dagályosoverly wordy or elaborate
Latin grandiloquus
  • grandiloquusoverly wordy or elaborate
Polish górnolotny, grandilokwentny
  • górnolotnyoverly wordy or elaborate
  • grandilokwentnyoverly wordy or elaborate
Portuguese grandiloquente
  • grandiloquenteoverly wordy or elaborate
Russian напы́щенный
  • напы́щенный (napýščennyj)overly wordy or elaborate
Spanish grandilocuente, rimbombante
  • grandilocuenteoverly wordy or elaborate
  • rimbombanteoverly wordy or elaborate
  • grandisonanteoverly wordy or elaborate
  • grandísonooverly wordy or elaborate
Cite this entry
APA

grandiloquent. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/grandiloquent

MLA

“grandiloquent.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/grandiloquent. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “grandiloquent,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/grandiloquent.

Source: grandiloquent on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.