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.
See Examples For:
“The great social justice changes in our country have happened when people came together, organized and took direct action,” Huerta said in accepting the honor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
A great book, a bad movie: Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Klara and the Sun is strange and beautiful—but it might also be unfilmable.
From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026
He’s a gifted speaker and a great, tireless campaigner.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
In August, the great Ricky Ponting, one of his predecessors as Australia's number three, called for the axe to fall.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
A great blow or fall would be the end of what little was left of his life.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
These greats built the mecca they needed and deserved, debating its contours, wanting it to last.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
With a challenging decision potentially looming, BBC Sport takes a look at how close one of the sport's greats is to leaving the game forever.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
But concern is the prevailing mood among the culinary greats gathered in Mexico.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
He wrote essays and conducted oral interviews with UFW greats such as Hartmire and Gilbert Padilla who were essential to the union’s success.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
He would not be made a fool of, even by one of the greats.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Microsoft delivered a combination of growth and profitability that impressed Wall Street on Wednesday — especially against the backdrop of greater scrutiny over artificial-intelligence investments.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
It will create "greater flexibility" for the firm and allow workers to leave with financial support and career planning resources, Microsoft said.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
The 27-year-old full-back was dropped for the 31-22 defeat by Canada last Saturday, with Mitchell saying she needed to show "greater consistency".
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
“We’re engaging in the organic social content at a greater level and frequency than we were 12 months ago,” President David Gordon said on the earnings call to discuss results:
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
The farther away a planet, the greater its orbital period.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
Directing $1.57 trillion toward investments that deliver the greatest social benefit would be a monumental achievement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
When the scientists compared different groups of ants, they discovered that lineages containing the greatest numbers of jumping genes also tended to have the most species today.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
One post on social media from Kane as he celebrated the greatest moment of his career said it all: "Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise."
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
"He is indefatigable, resilient and foresighted. He is one of the greatest African entrepreneurs of our time," Nigerian business leader and philanthropist Tony Elumelu was quoted as saying in Time Magazine.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
For Danny, it was the greatest feeling he had ever had.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
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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