Greatness

n.capable, kindformal

What it means

Exceptional achievement, ability, influence, or moral character.

Reach for it when naming excellence at an unusually high level while making clear which kind is meant

Her greatness came from technical skill joined with generosity.

playful
legendary status
informal celebration of enduring fame suits the audience
not when Legendary is hyperbole unless stories and influence genuinely persist.
warm
brilliance
rare intelligence or creative force produces the admiration
not when Brilliance can be dazzling but inconsistent.
professional
excellence
consistently high quality is supported by evidence
not when Excellence can be narrow and reliable without the wider stature of greatness.
professional
mastery
exceptional command of a craft is the basis for praise
not when Mastery concerns skill and does not establish moral or historical greatness.
formal
distinction
achievement or character clearly stands apart
not when Distinction may rest on recognition rather than profound impact.
formal
stature
earned reputation and influence have grown over time
not when Stature concerns standing and may not reflect actual quality.
literary
nobility
lofty moral character matters more than achievement
not when Nobility can sound class-coded or grandiose in ordinary praise.

achieve greatness
They hoped to achieve greatness by preparing capable successors.
true greatness
His true greatness appeared in the successors he prepared.
measure of greatness
Service, not applause, became their measure of greatness.

Greatness is a broad and unusually strong judgment. Name the achievement, influence, or moral quality that earns it.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.