difference

Question

Pompous, bombastic, grandiloquent, high-flown, grandiose. Do they have the same meanings? Do they mean showy? I don't really understand those words. Hope you can explain them for me.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

First, did you get any help from your dictionary?

Best wishes, Clive

MIA6 · Answer

Surely I did. Every single question that I ask is always the result of my researching. I just think their definitions are the same.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

These words have many similarities. Here are a few comments.

pompous A pompous person likes to show, usually in his speaking, thathe thinks he is very important.

bombastic A bombastic person uses very, very elaborate and fancy language. To me, it also suggest loudness.

grandiloquent Again, very fancy language.

high-flown A more informal way of referring to fancy language. Unlike the first two words, or maybe three, which can describe people, 'high-dloen describes 'language'. ie we don't usually say 'a high-flown person'.

grandiose Something that is meant to show importance

Do they have the same meanings? Not exactly. Do they mean showy? To some degree, although 'showy' is a much more informal word.

Bombasic, grandiloquent, grandiose are not very common words.

To tell you the honest truth, I find it hard to explain the subtle differences, because I learned the difference by reading a wide range of material for years. This gave me a good feeling for how and when to use such words, but it's hard to explain briefly. Often, in this Forum, we are asked to put a lifetime's learning into a few short paragraphs. And we try, but sometimes it seems quite inadequate.

It's late. I'm off to bed. Maybe things will seem easy to me again tomorrow.

Best wishes, Clive

MIA6 · Answer

thanks so much, Clive. I know the best method for learning words is to read more, so you can get some ideas about the differences. I am still doing it.  Does pompous mean to exhibit self-importance, arrogance? A pompous person. The other meaning of this word is to use some fancy language I think. Bombastic is often used to describe speech, language. When I looked up in the dictionary, for the definitions of 'bombastic, grandiose, high-flown', they use these words each other for their meanings. I had no clue at all. I think these three words are mostly used to describe using fancy language in speech. "pompous and grandiose' are used to describe people who want to show their importance, but does it necessary to show their importance by using fancy language or it can be other way.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Does pompous mean to exhibit self-importance, arrogance? A pompous person. More self-importance than arrogance.

The other meaning of this word is to use some fancy language I think. Not exactly.

Bombastic is often used to describe speech, language. When I looked up in the dictionary, for the definitions of 'bombastic, grandiose, high-flown', they use these words each other for their meanings. I had no clue at all. I think these three words are mostly used to describe using fancy language in speech. Yes.

"pompous and grandiose' are used to describe people who want to show their importance, but does it necessary to show their importance by using fancy language or it can be other way. Language is a large aspect of it, although behaviour and demeanour also are typically involved.

Clive

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