grandly

/ˈɡrændli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡrændli/ (ame, ipa) · /-ndlē -li, rapid -nl-/ (ame, mw)

grandly — adverb

1. while behaving as if a person or thing carries more importance or seriousness th

1.副詞C1
釋義

while behaving as if a person or thing carries more importance or seriousness than is actually the case.

例句

Ezra grandly announced that he would be leading the team, though no one had actually appointed him.

verb + grandly: announce / declare grandly

The small committee grandly called itself the National Council for Cultural Affairs.

grandly + reflexive verb: 'X grandly called itself Y'

同義詞
  • pompously

    stronger; clearly negative, emphasises self-importance

  • loftily

    suggests looking down on others while speaking

  • pretentiously

    focuses on faking sophistication rather than inflating importance

反義詞
  • modestly

    playing down one's own importance

  • humbly

    without claiming status or attention

文法句型

verb + grandly

用法筆記

Frequently carries a mocking or ironic tone — the speaker thinks the subject is taking themselves too seriously. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes genuine impressiveness rather than puffed-up self-importance.

常見錯誤

❌She spoke grandly about her holiday.' (just means she spoke a lot).
✅She grandly described her two-night trip as a 'European tour'.
💡'grandly' needs the inflation-of-importance contrast to make sense.

2. with an impressive, large, or stylish appearance that draws people's eyes and ad

2.副詞C1
釋義

with an impressive, large, or stylish appearance that draws people's eyes and admiration.

例句

The opera house stood grandly at the top of the hill, with marble steps leading up from the square.

verb + grandly describing physical presence

Joon walked grandly down the staircase in her wedding dress, smiling at every guest.

grandly + manner of movement

同義詞
  • majestically

    stronger; suggests dignified, almost regal impressiveness

  • splendidly

    emphasises beauty and rich decoration

  • imposingly

    stresses size that makes a viewer feel small

反義詞
  • plainly

    without decoration or visible style

  • modestly

    small or simple in appearance

文法句型

verb + grandly

grandly + past participle

用法筆記

Subject is usually a building, room, person making a visible entrance, or a setting. Unlike sense 1, the impressiveness here is real, not pretended — drop sense 2 if the writer means the subject is faking importance.

常見錯誤

❌The food tasted grandly.
✅The food was grandly presented on silver plates.
💡'grandly' describes visual or stylistic impressiveness, not taste, sound, or smell.