great
Usage
What are other ways to say great?
In reference to the size and extent of concrete objects, great is highly formal and even poetic, suggesting also that the object is notable or imposing, large is only somewhat formal, and big is the most general and most colloquial word: a great oak; a large tree; a big tree; great plains; a large field; a big field. 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.
As an immigrant from Sri Lanka, I know how great this country is.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
“Of course, like the teams he played against this year, we know how great an offensive player he is. We just had a problem spelling it.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Even Arteta, who is very conscious of not applying pressure to the youngster, compared his talents with those of Argentina great Lionel Messi.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
“We have a man who is doing a great job, I’ll tell you,” he said.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
And she treated us all now, Peter included, with great affection, as if we were her family.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Vocabulary lists containing great
Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 5
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