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Definitions

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.

Karen Konkoly, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher in Paller's Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, said one of the biggest surprises was how strongly the cues influenced dreams even when participants were not lucid.

From Science Daily

"My big daughter is eight years old and she is playing football, and my son is five and also playing football," he explains.

From BBC

"The biggest hurdle at the moment is they are still working through the big backlog," she said.

From BBC

Milford Haven Port Authority was eventually fined £4m, which at the time was the biggest penalty ever issued for a pollution case in Britain.

From BBC

"I don't think it's that big of a deal, to be honest, the All Star Game."

From Barron's