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big

[big] / bɪg /






Usage

What are other ways to say big? In reference to the size and extent of concrete objects, big is the most general and most colloquial word, large is somewhat more formal, and great is highly formal and even poetic, suggesting also that the object is notable or imposing: a big tree; a large tree; a great oak; a big field; a large field; great plains. When the reference is to degree or a quality, great is the usual word: great beauty; great mistake; great surprise; although big sometimes alternates with it in colloquial style: a big mistake; a big surprise; large is usually not used in reference to degree, but may be used in a quantitative reference: a large number (great number).

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“The little things add up and become big things,” she said.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

Without compelling new features, a big question is whether consumers will slow the frequency of iPhone upgrades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

The company has big aspirations for growing its artificial intelligence business.

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

And I think that destination brings up a big issue about what Black women are and aren’t allowed to say or how they’re “allowed” to be comedic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

So my mom was going to see her, even though there was a big storm looming.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

But the bigger question now is whether companies can sustain that momentum into 2027, when Wall Street analysts are forecasting earnings growth of more than 16%.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

Navy remains ahead by tonnage, which means its ships are on average bigger.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

The question is much bigger than a corporate battle over the semantics of artificial intelligence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

While this year's primary results did provide bigger surprises, Young says that nominating contests have historically been volatile, with voters more likely to make up their minds at the last minute.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

But on that day, the trail didn’t seem to be any bigger than a twine string.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Research firm SemiAnalysis has launched a new benchmark that measures frontier model capabilities in specific industries where AI is likely to have the biggest and earliest impact.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Prices dropped 17.1 cents over the last week, for the biggest weekly decline since the week that ended June 21, according to data from GasBuddy.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

Even your biggest hits have something of an enigmatic quality.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

"The team made 310 tackles against New Zealand and we only conceded 19 points. That is probably the biggest stat I've ever been involved with in my whole career," said Edwards.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

That was the biggest bone I had ever seen Grandpa give to Rowdy.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

I've bigged myself up about doing an Ironman, but now I'm starting to regret that!

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2025

"We bigged him up before kick off for his technical abilities, and he has just shown them again here. This guy is an outstanding player."

From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2023

“This agreement has been bigged up as something that will be a solution to the world’s food shortage, and it is just not,” said Tracey Allen, an agricultural commodities strategist at JPMorgan Chase.

From New York Times ● Aug. 1, 2022

Across the world in Los Angeles, the Compton Cricket Club is bigged in by Cloth's Bullets – a song, like the CCC itself, dedicated to fighting homelessness and gang culture with civility and dignity.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 25, 2013

Oh, Bessie Bell and Mary Grey, They were twa bonnie lasses; They bigged a bower on yon burn side, And theekt it over wi' rashes.

From The Trial by Charlotte Mary Yonge

Newey effectively worked only three days a week, Horner would say, bigging up the roles of Wache and the technical leadership team around him, especially head of aerodynamics Enrico Balbo.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2025

The coach of Ireland bigging up an Ireland wing?

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2025

Another massive performance and others aside from Sinfield might be bigging him up.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 19, 2023

Patrick Vieira has been bigging up Michael Olise, and warning off potential suitors.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 11, 2022

So some one must be bigging it, or folks would all sing very small.

From Master Skylark by John Bennett


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