What does "grandiloquent" mean?

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

What is a synonym for "grandiloquent"?

Common synonyms include: magniloquent, pretentious, affected, aggrandized, amplified, aureate.

How do you pronounce "grandiloquent"?

Pronounced //ɡɹænˈdɪl.ə.kwənt//.

Grandiloquent

//ɡɹænˈdɪl.ə.kwənt// adj

adj ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Adjective

1
Given 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."

Adjective

1
puffed up with vanity wordnet
2
lofty in style wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

magniloquent pretentious affected aggrandized amplified aureate

Example

More examples

"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."

Etymology

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

More for "grandiloquent"

Synonyms Sentences Pronunciation Translate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation Browse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.