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Where does the word "grand" come from? It comes from Latin grandis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "grand" come from? It comes from Latin grandis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Grand’s story begins in Latin: grandis meant “large, great, full-grown.” The root of 'grandeur' and 'aggrandize'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as grand. Carried into French for something large and impressive. It reached English by 1300s as grand. Settled as the English word for something large, impressive, or dignified. Today, grand means large, impressive, or dignified in scale, appearance, or style.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient grandis "large, great, full-grown", the root of 'grandeur' and 'aggrandize'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval grand "large and impressive", carried into French for something large and impressive.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s grand "large, impressive, or dignified in appearance", settled as the English word for something large, impressive, or dignified.