Grand vs. Grant — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
"Grand" describes something impressive or magnificent, while "grant" means to give or bestow something, often formally.
Difference Between Grand and Grant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Grand is primarily an adjective used to describe something that is large, impressive, or magnificent in scope or size. On the contrary, grant is primarily a verb that refers to giving, bestowing, or conceding something, often in an official or formal capacity.
In context, if something is referred to as grand, it holds a sense of magnificence, importance, or splendor. Grant, however, brings to mind the act of giving or the actual thing being given, such as funds or rights.
Notably, grand can also be a noun, as in "a grand of money," referring to a thousand dollars. In contrast, grant as a noun refers to something that has been given, like a scholarship or a sum of money allocated for a specific purpose.
One might attend a grand event, which would imply it's on a large scale or has significant importance. If someone were to grant you a wish, they would be giving or bestowing upon you what you desired.
Musical enthusiasts might be familiar with the term grand as in "grand piano," indicating a full-sized, classic instrument. On the other hand, students or researchers might seek a grant, a sum of money given to fund their projects or studies.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Primarily an adjective
Primarily a verb
Meaning
Impressive, magnificent
To give, bestow, or allow
Alternative Usage
Can be a noun (e.g., a grand of money)
Can be a noun (e.g., a research grant)
Common Combinations
Grand event, grand total
Grant permission, grant funds
Etymology
Derived from Old French "grant" meaning "large, big"
Derived from Old French "granter" meaning "to allow, grant"
Compare with Definitions
Grand
Sumptuous or luxurious.
The hotel had a grand ballroom for events.
Grant
To transfer (property) by a deed.
Grand
A grand piano.
Grant
To give or bestow upon, especially officially.
The university will grant scholarships to ten students.
Grand
Covering a broad scope; comprehensive.
She had grand plans for her future.
Grant
To agree or accede to.
She granted his request for a day off.
Grand
Being a thousand in number.
He earned a grand for the project.
Grant
To transfer or convey, especially by deed or writing.
The land was granted to the settlers.
Grand
Large and impressive in size or extent
A forest of grand trees.
Corruption on a grand scale.
Grant
An act of giving or conceding.
The grant of rights was a historic moment.
Grand
Sweeping in ambition or conception
A grand scheme to build a canal across the desert.
Grant
To allow or consent to the fulfillment of (something requested)
Grant permission to speak frankly.
Grant a request.
Grand
Very pleasing; wonderful; splendid
The children had a grand time playing in the barn.
Grant
To give or confer officially or formally
Grant voting rights to citizens.
Grant diplomatic immunity.
Grand
Characterized by splendor or magnificence
A grand meal was laid before them. The emperor made a grand entrance on his horse.
Grant
To concede; acknowledge
I grant that your plan is ingenious, but you still will not find many backers.
Grand
Having more importance than others; principal
Won the grand prize.
Grant
The act of granting.
Grand
Having higher rank than others of the same category
The grand admiral of the fleet.
Grant
Something granted, especially a giving of funds for a specific purpose
Federal grants for medical research.
Grand
Dignified or noble, as in appearance or effect
The grand style of the great orators.
The grand old man of British letters.
Grant
The document or provision in a document by which a grant is made.
Grand
Having a serious moral purpose; noble
An endeavor with a grand mission.
Grant
One of several tracts of land in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont originally granted to an individual or a group.
Grand
Of a haughty or pretentious nature
Put on a grand manner.
Grant
(ditransitive) to give (permission or wish)
He was granted permission to attend the meeting.
The genie granted him three wishes
Grand
Including or covering all units or aspects
The grand total.
Grant
(ditransitive) To bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give.en
Grand
Pl. grand Slang A thousand dollars
Sold the car for six grand.
Grant
(transitive) To agree with (someone) on (something); to accept (something) for the sake of argument; to admit to (someone) that (something) is true.
Grand
(augmentative) Large, senior high-ranking, intense, extreme, or exceptional
Grant
(intransitive) To assent; to consent.
Grand
Of a large size or extent; great.
A grand mountain
A grand army
A grand mistake
Grant
The act of granting; a bestowing or conferring; concession; allowance; permission.
Grand
Great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression; illustrious, dignified, magnificent.
A grand monarch
A grand view
His simple vision has transformed into something far more grand.
Grant
The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
Grand
Having higher rank or more dignity, size, or importance than other persons or things of the same name.
A grand lodge
A grand vizier
A grand piano
The Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire.
'' Grand Admiral
Grant
The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
I got a grant from the government to study archeology in Egypt.
Grand
Standing in the second or some more remote degree of parentage or descent grand-}}.
Grandfather, grandson, grand-child
Grant
(law) A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government.
A grant of land or of money
Grand
Fine; lovely.
A cup of tea? That'd be grand.
Grant
The deed or writing by which such a transfer is made.
Grand
(music) Containing all the parts proper to a given form of composition.
Grant
(informal) An application for a grant monetary boon to aid research or the like.
Grand
(plural "grand") A thousand of some unit of currency, such as dollars or pounds. Compare G.
Grant
To give over; to make conveyance of; to give the possession or title of; to convey; - usually in answer to petition.
Grant me the place of this threshing floor.
Grand
A grand piano
Grant
To bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give.
Wherefore did God grant me my request.
Grand
A grandparent or grandchild.
Grant
To admit as true what is not yet satisfactorily proved; to yield belief to; to allow; to yield; to concede.
Grant that the Fates have firmed by their decree.
Grand
Of large size or extent; great; extensive; hence, relatively great; greatest; chief; principal; as, a grand mountain; a grand army; a grand mistake.
Making so bold . . . to unsealTheir grand commission.
Grant
To assent; to consent.
Grand
Great in size, and fine or imposing in appearance or impression; illustrious, dignifled, or noble (said of persons); majestic, splendid, magnificent, or sublime (said of things); as, a grand monarch; a grand lord; a grand general; a grand view; a grand conception.
They are the highest models of expression, the unapproachedmasters of the grand style.
Grant
The act of granting; a bestowing or conferring; concession; allowance; permission.
Grand
Having higher rank or more dignity, size, or importance than other persons or things of the same name; as, a grand lodge; a grand vizier; a grand piano, etc.
Grant
The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
Grand
Standing in the second or some more remote degree of parentage or descent; - generalIy used in composition; as, grandfather, grandson, grandchild, etc.
What causeMov'd our grand parents, in that happy state,Favor'd of Heaven so highly, to fall offFrom their Creator.
Grant
The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
Grand
The cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
Grant
A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government; as, a grant of land or of money; also, the deed or writing by which the transfer is made.
Grand
A piano with the strings on a harp-shaped frame; usually supported by 3 legs
Grant
Any monetary aid
Grand
Impressive in scale;
An expansive lifestyle
In the grand manner
Grant
The act of providing a subsidy
Grand
Of or befitting a lord;
Heir to a lordly fortune
Of august lineage
Grant
(law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance
Grand
Impressive in size or scope;
Heroic undertakings
Grant
Scottish painter; cousin of Lytton Strachey and member of the Bloomsbury Group (1885-1978)
Grand
Impressive in size or appearance.
The grand canyon is a breathtaking sight.
Grant
United States actor (born in England) who was the elegant leading man in many films (1904-1986)
Grand
Of high rank or importance.
The grand finale was the highlight of the show.
Grant
18th President of the United States; commander of the Union armies in the American Civil War (1822-1885)
Grant
A contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business;
He got the beer concession at the ball park
Grant
A right or privilege that has been granted
Grant
Let have;
Grant permission
Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison
Grant
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Grant
Be willing to concede;
I grant you this much
Grant
Allow to have;
Grant a privilege
Grant
Bestow, especially officially;
Grant a degree
Give a divorce
This bill grants us new rights
Grant
Give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
Grant
Transfer by deed;
Grant land
Grant
A financial award given by a government or organization.
He received a research grant for his project.
Common Curiosities
Does "grand" always refer to size?
No, "grand" can describe anything impressive, not just in size but also in quality or scope.
Can "grand" be a noun?
Yes, e.g., "a grand" can mean a thousand dollars.
Can "grant" be a noun and a verb?
Yes, you can "grant" someone a wish (verb) or receive a "grant" for research (noun).
How is "grant" used in legal contexts?
In legal terms, to "grant" can mean to transfer or confer rights, titles, or properties.
Is "grant" always about giving money?
No, "grant" can mean giving or allowing anything, not just monetary gifts.
Can "grand" be used in terms of money?
Yes, in American slang, "a grand" refers to a thousand dollars.
Is a "grand slam" related to the word "grand"?
Yes, it denotes a significant achievement, especially in sports like baseball or tennis.
What is a "grant proposal"?
A grant proposal is a formal document that requests funding from an organization or government body.
What's the opposite of "grant" when used as a verb?
The opposite could be "deny" or "withhold."
How does "grand" relate to family terms?
In family, "grand" can prefix relations to indicate one generation removed, like "grandfather."
What's the opposite of "grand" in context?
Depending on the context, it could be "insignificant," "minor," or "ordinary."
Can "grant" mean "admit" or "acknowledge"?
Yes, e.g., "I grant that it's a valid point."
How does "grant" relate to historical contexts?
Historically, lands or titles might be "granted" by monarchs or authorities to individuals.
Can "grand" describe events or moments?
Yes, e.g., a "grand opening" or "grand finale."
Are "grand" and "grant" related etymologically?
Both have roots in Old French, but "grand" meant "large" while "grant" meant "to allow."
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.