Greatness Meaning
/ˈɡɹeɪtnəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe state, condition, or quality of being great
nounPride; haughtiness.
Sentence Examples
Neither gold nor greatness make us happy.
The only greatness for man is immortality.
I always knew that Tom was destined for greatness.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Many people admired the ____ of the famous leader, who helped many.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The legendary athlete will always be remembered for her ____ and her many record-breaking achievements.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English gretnesse, gretnes, greetnesse, from Old English grēatnes. Equivalent to great + -ness.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Mal. Some are borne great... Some atcheeue greatnesse... And some haue greatnesse thrust vpon them."
— c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:
"Until then I had felt that what a great writer I was had been carefully kept secret between myself and my wife and only those people we knew well enough to speak to. I was glad Scott had come to the same happy conclusion as to this possible greatness, but I was also glad he was beginning to run out of his speech."
— 1964, Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, →OCLC, page 147:
"He showed his greatness when it mattered, but his occasional weakness too."
— 2012 June 29, Kevin Mitchell, “Roger Federer Back from Wimbledon 2012 Brink to Beat Julien Benneteau”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 15 Nov 2016:
"It is not of pride or greatness that he cometh not aboard your ships."
— 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Many people admired the ____ of the famous leader, who helped many.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The legendary athlete will always be remembered for her ____ and her many record-breaking achievements.