ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grande

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɡɹænd// grande

adj. large or impressive in size or style. You often see this word used for the medium-sized cup in some coffee shops.

adj. large or ambitious in scale or scope; often used in specific commercial contexts to denote a medium-large size. Borrowed from Romance languages, it frequently appears in fixed phrases or brand-specific sizing systems.


SIMPLE

I would like a grande latte, please.

CONTEXTUAL

The hotel lobby was decorated in a grande style that made every guest feel like royalty.

COMPLEX

While the architect's vision was certainly grande, the city council worried that the sheer scale of the marble columns would overwhelm the modest neighborhood surrounding the site.

Origin

Borrowed from Romance (either Spanish Grande or Italian Grande).

Usage

Typically precedes the noun in general English, though it follows the noun in specific commercial branding or fixed musical terms.

Pitfall

a cup grandea grande cupUnless you are using a specific brand's terminology where the size follows the drink name, the adjective should come before the noun.

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