Grandiloquous

/ɡrænˈdɪləkwəs/ adjective

Definition

Characterized by grandiloquence; using grand, impressive, or exaggerated language.

Etymology

Direct from Latin grandiloquus (grandis 'large' plus loqui 'to speak'), this is essentially an alternative form of grandiloquent, with the Latin -ous ending preserved instead of being anglicized to -ent.

Kelly Says

English borrowed this word directly from Latin rather than creating it from scratch, which is why we have two similar forms—grandiloquent and grandiloquous. Most speakers use grandiloquent, making grandiloquous a rarer variant that linguists call a 'doublet' or 'variant.'

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