grandioso
/ɡranˈdjo.zo/
The English phrase 'grandiose' translates to the Italian word grandioso.
grandioso is used to describe something that is pompous or pretentious. However, it is also frequently used in a positive sense to mean 'magnificent' or 'grand', such as when describing a grand musical piece. To describe a grandiose place or building, you can use the phrase un gioiello architettonico (an architectural jewel). For a grandiose achievement, you might use un grande successo (a great success) or una conquista notevole (a remarkable conquest).
Meaning: pompous or pretentious (adj)
Which one should you use?
While grandioso can carry a negative connotation of being pompous, it can also be used positively to mean 'grand' or 'magnificent'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on gender and number: grandiosa is the feminine singular, grandiosi is the masculine plural and grandiose is the feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /ɡranˈdjo.zo/.
Did you know?
- To describe someone who is acting in a 'grandiose' or arrogant way, Italians might use the expression fare il pavone, which literally means 'to act like a peacock'.
- When talking about a 'grand' gesture in a romantic or dramatic sense, Italians often use gesto plateale instead of using a word related to 'grandeur'.
- In Italian musical terminology, if a score is marked grandioso, it is a specific instruction for the performer to play with a sense of majesty and breadth, rather than just being 'big'.
Examples in context
- La rappresentazione teatrale è stata così maestosa da lasciare tutti senza parole.The theater performance was so grandiose that it left everyone speechless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandiose” translations and entries grandioso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
