greatness

IPA/ˈɡreɪtnəs/
KK[ɡrˈetnəs]IPA/ˈɡreɪtnəs/

greatness — noun

1. the state of being very important, famous, or powerful — used of people, achieve

1.nounB2
Definition

the state of being very important, famous, or powerful — used of people, achievements, or ideas whose influence lasts across time.

Example

It took years of hard work for Asher to achieve greatness as a concert pianist.

achieve greatness in [career/field]

The poet Wren achieved greatness not with money but with verses that still comfort readers today.

achieved greatness through [lasting contribution]

Common collocations
  • achieve greatness
  • path to greatness
  • rise to greatness
  • greatness of [person/achievement]
  • artistic greatness
Synonyms
  • eminence

    more formal, often used for scholars or experts who are widely respected in their field

  • stature

    emphasises moral or intellectual standing rather than fame or power

  • prominence

    focuses on being widely known or visible rather than on inherent importance

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often used with possessive determiners (his greatness, her greatness) or in the pattern 'greatness of [person/achievement].' Typically uncountable — do not use with an indefinite article.

Common Mistakes

He reached the greatness as a writer
He achieved greatness as a writer
'greatness' is uncountable and does not take 'the' or 'a' in this meaning.

2. how exceptionally good or impressive someone or something is in ability, talent,

2.nounB2
Definition

how exceptionally good or impressive someone or something is in ability, talent, or character — said of skilled people, outstanding performances, or admirable personal qualities.

Example

Emily's greatness as a chef showed in the perfect taste of every dish she made.

possessive: greatness as a [role]

When a fire destroyed Tariq's shop, neighbours rebuilt it in a week — for him, that kindness was true greatness.

collocation: true greatness shown by [concrete act]

Common collocations
  • greatness as [a role]
  • greatness of character
  • personal greatness
  • artistic greatness
  • true greatness
Synonyms
  • excellence

    the closest synonym; slightly less formal and more widely used across contexts

  • brilliance

    emphasises outstanding intelligence, creativity, or talent

  • distinction

    focuses on being noticeably better than others in a particular area

Antonyms
  • mediocrity

    the opposite of being exceptionally good or impressive

  • inferiority

    emphasises being below average in quality or ability

Usage Note

Commonly paired with a role or domain via 'as a [role]' (greatness as a teacher) or 'of [quality]' (greatness of spirit) to specify the area of excellence.

Common Mistakes

She has a greatness for painting
She has greatness as a painter
use 'as a [role]', not 'for [activity].'

3. the degree to which something is large or extreme in size, number, or intensity

3.nounB1
Definition

the degree to which something is large or extreme in size, number, or intensity — used of physical objects, natural forces, or quantities.

Example

The greatness of the Sahara amazed Wei, who had never imagined sand stretching so far.

collocation: greatness of [vast landscape]

Hikers stopped in awe at the canyon cliffs whose greatness rose a thousand metres above them.

collocation: greatness of [natural feature] with measurement

Common collocations
  • the greatness of [something]
  • true greatness
  • greatness of the [landscape/task/crowd]
Synonyms
  • magnitude

    more technical, often used for numbers, forces, or scientific measurements

  • immensity

    emphasises an overwhelming or almost impossible-to-measure size

Antonyms
  • smallness

    the opposite of being large in size or amount

  • tininess

    emphasises an extremely small scale

Usage Note

Typically appears in the structure 'the greatness of [something]' when describing physical scale or degree. Less common in everyday speech; prefer more specific nouns (height, width, volume) for exact measurements.

Common Mistakes

The greatness of the building was fifty metres
The height of the building was fifty metres
use specific dimension words (height, width, depth) for exact numbers.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Greatness is the broadest term, covering importance, fame, power, and lasting influence — it implies that a person or achievement is truly exceptional. Eminence is more formal and specific: it usually refers to scholars, experts, or professionals who are widely respected within their field, without necessarily being famous to the general public. Stature focuses on moral, intellectual, or professional standing — you can have stature in your community without being widely known. Prominence is about visibility: someone who is prominent is easily noticed or well known, but their influence may be shallow compared to true greatness. A politician may have prominence from media coverage, but greatness requires lasting impact. A Nobel-winning scientist has eminence. A respected judge has stature. A celebrity chef may have prominence. Only someone whose achievements change a field or inspire others for generations achieves greatness.

greatness ↗eminence ↗stature ↗prominence ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • path to greatness
  • mark of greatness
  • greatness lies in

Prepositions

  • in (greatness in [field])
  • of (greatness of [someone/something])
  • as (greatness as [a role])

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Greatness comes from Old English 'grēatnes,' a combination of 'grēat' (meaning large, thick, or coarse) and the suffix '-nes' (which turns adjectives into nouns, like -ness in modern English). In Old English, 'grēatnes' referred primarily to physical size. Over centuries, as 'great' developed the figurative meanings of 'important' and 'excellent,' the noun 'greatness' followed, acquiring the abstract senses of fame, power, and high quality that are most common today.