Grandiloquent

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ɡɹænˈdɪl.É™.kwÉ™nt/

Origin

From Latin grandiloquus, from grandis ("great, full") + loquor ("speak")

Full definition of grandiloquent

Adjective

1. (of a person, their language or writing) given to using language in a showy way by using an excessive amount of difficult words to impress others; bombastic; turgid
• 1898, s:Author:William Graham Sumner, s:War and Other Essays Chapter s:The Conquest of the United States by Spain, 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.

Synonyms

• (overly wordy or elaborate) bombastic, extravagant, flowery, ostentatious, pretentious, sesquipedalian

Related terms

• grandiloquacity
• grandiloquence
• grandiloquism
• grandiloquous
• grandiloquoy
• magniloquent