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Meaning & use

greatness

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈɡreɪtnəs/
US/ˈɡreɪtnəs/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The quality of being outstanding, admired and of lasting importance, usually through achievement or character.

    Grammar: No plural and no a: she was destined for greatness.

    Patterns

    • achieve greatness
    • greatness of something
    • destined for greatness

    Many people dream of achieving greatness in sport.

    The greatness of her poetry is clear to every reader.

    He was born into poverty but rose to greatness.

  2. noununcountableformalold-fashioned

    Large size, strength or amount of something.

    Grammar: Formal and uncommon in this literal sense.

    Patterns

    • the greatness of something

    Visitors were stunned by the greatness of the cathedral.

    The greatness of the loss hit them slowly.

    Explorers wrote about the greatness of the mountains.

Common combinations

achieve greatness
He wanted to achieve greatness as an artist.
destined for greatness
Teachers said she was destined for greatness.
true greatness
True greatness often shows in how a person treats others.
a moment of greatness
The goal was a moment of greatness for the young striker.
greatness of spirit
Her greatness of spirit inspired the team.
rise to greatness
The shy boy rose to greatness as a conductor.

Synonyms and how they differ

excellence
Excellence means very high quality, while greatness adds the idea of lasting fame and importance.
distinction
Distinction is a mark of honor or difference, which is smaller in scale than greatness.
eminence
Eminence is a formal word for high standing in a field, not necessarily for lasting impact.
brilliance
Brilliance emphasizes dazzling skill or intelligence, while greatness looks at overall achievement.

Opposites

mediocrityinsignificance

Word family

great adjective
of very high quality or importance
greatly adverb
to a large degree
greater adjective
comparative of great
greaten verb
to make greater, now very rare

Commonly confused: greatness or grandeur?

greatness vs grandeur

Grandeur means impressive splendor of appearance, while greatness covers achievement and importance.

Practice

Many critics see her final novel as a work of real ___.

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