stately

adjective

state·​ly ˈstāt-lē How to pronounce stately (audio)
statelier; stateliest
1
a
: marked by lofty or imposing dignity
2
: impressive in size or proportions
stateliness noun
stately adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for stately

grand, magnificent, imposing, stately, majestic, grandiose mean large and impressive.

grand adds to greatness of size the implications of handsomeness and dignity.

a grand staircase

magnificent implies an impressive largeness proportionate to scale without sacrifice of dignity or good taste.

magnificent paintings

imposing implies great size and dignity but especially stresses impressiveness.

an imposing edifice

stately may suggest poised dignity, erectness of bearing, handsomeness of proportions, ceremonious deliberation of movement.

the stately procession

majestic combines the implications of imposing and stately and usually adds a suggestion of solemn grandeur.

a majestic waterfall

grandiose implies a size or scope exceeding ordinary experience

grandiose hydroelectric projects

but is most commonly applied derogatorily to inflated pretension or absurd exaggeration.

grandiose schemes

Examples of stately in a Sentence

the governor watched with stately aloofness as his wife charmed the party guests a stately dowager in an evening gown
Recent Examples on the Web Elsewhere, the stately abode is complete with an open-plan living room that has a stone-front fireplace, a sleek dining area, and a chef’s kitchen equipped with granite counters and top-of-the-line appliances from Wolf and Sub-Zero. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Custom high-end shelving and cabinetry line the stately and distinguished office, which offers ample storage and workspace. Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Explore Port Aransas 19 of 20 Virginia: Cape Charles Fronting the Chesapeake Bay, this once-sleepy beach town with stately Victorian houses is transformed from its days as a former railroad hub to a small-town vacation destination. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 Each home is a canvas, waiting for its owners to leave an indelible mark, with options ranging from the stately designs to homes exhibiting modern elegance. Prime Development, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 The residence — complete with stately rooms, lush green lawns and bodies of water — is the setting for most of the film and is where the relationship and tensions play out between Catton, his family and his friend Oliver Quick (played by Barry Keoghan). Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 Plans were to raze the stately Victorian structure to deter vandalism. Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 Bright white cottages with red roofs, stately sea captains' homes, two lighthouses, local shops, and water in seemingly every direction (what with the confluence of the river and the Intracoastal Waterway) create vistas at every bend in the road. Tracey Minkin, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024 Today’s great reads A tent encampment rises outside Ojai’s stately City Hall. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stately.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stately was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near stately

Cite this Entry

“Stately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stately. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stately

adjective
state·​ly ˈstāt-lē How to pronounce stately (audio)
statelier; stateliest
: impressively grand in appearance, manner, or size
stateliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stately

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