grounded
GROWN-did
/ˈɡraʊn.dɪd/
Well-balanced, sensible, and realistic, especially despite fame or grand success.
Describes psychological stability and healthy realism; immune to being corrupted by ego or adulation.
The story behind the word. Rooted in the ancient Germanic word for the earth under our feet, 'grounded' originally meant physically resting on solid earth or anchored firmly. In the late 20th century, psychology popularized the metaphorical use: standing on solid emotional ground rather than floating away into vanity.
Word relationships
- sensible: Sensible means having good practical judgment, while grounded specifically implies maintaining humility amid praise.
- down-to-earth: Down-to-earth is an informal synonym emphasizing friendliness and lack of affectation.
- pretentious: Pretentious people affect grand airs, opposite to grounded stability.
- detached: Detached implies being out of touch with practical reality.
Commonly confused with
- grounded (punishment): Grounded can also mean restricted to home as a disciplinary measure for teenagers.
Word family
- groundedness (noun): The quality of being emotionally balanced and sensible.
- ground (verb): To give a firm foundation to something.
Collocations
- stay grounded
- remarkably grounded
- grounded perspective
- grounded personality
Idioms & expressions
- keep one's feet on the ground
Example sentences
- "Despite her sudden Oscar win, her parents ensured she stayed grounded by keeping her normal household chores." Celebrity interview
- "What makes Marcus such an effective manager is his grounded perspective during high-pressure crises." Executive appraisal
Memory hook
GROUNDED people keep both feet planted firmly on the GROUND. Grounded keeps your feet on the earth.
When not to use
Do not use in formal legal documents where 'judicious' or 'prudent' would fit better.
Fun facts
- In electrical engineering, 'grounded' means connected to the earth to safely discharge excess electricity—just like emotional groundedness discharges excess ego!
Related words
Explore more words
steady, stability, unflappable, steadfast, equanimity, imperturbable
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