nounnounadjectiveadverb

le grand

large · tall · big

Qui a une taille supérieure à la normale ou qui est plus haut que la moyenne.

Definition & meaning

The word "grand" is a versatile adjective in French with several primary meanings depending on the context:

Physical Size: It describes something large, big, or vast in dimension. When used to describe a person, it specifically means "tall".
Importance or Status: It can mean "great," "grand," or "noble," referring to the importance, fame, or quality of a person or thing. For example, a "grand homme" refers to a great man (important/heroic), whereas an "homme grand" refers to a tall man.
Age: It is used to describe children or young people who are "grown up" or "big." For example, "quand tu seras grand" means "when you are grown up."
Intensity: It can be used to emphasize the degree of a feeling or a state, such as "un grand silence" (a deep silence) or "une grande faim" (a great hunger).

Grammar & Word origin

"Grand" is an adjective that changes form based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies:

Masculine singular: grand
Feminine singular: grande
Masculine plural: grands
Feminine plural: grandes

In French grammar, "grand" is part of a small group of adjectives (often remembered by the acronym BAGS: Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size) that usually precede the noun they modify, rather than following it.

The word originates from the Latin grandis, which meant big, tall, grown-up, or powerful.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

Regarding physical size: gros (big/thick), vaste (vast), immense (huge), géant (giant).
Regarding importance: important (important), majeur (major), illustre (illustrious), célèbre (famous).
Regarding age: âgé (aged/old), adulte (adult).

Antonyms

Regarding physical size: petit (small/short), minuscule (tiny).
Regarding importance: insignifiant (insignificant), médiocre (mediocre), mineur (minor).
Regarding age: jeune (young).