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:
With “On Cinema,” it’s great because it’s much in character.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
"The great irony of the situation is that Fidesz have fallen foul of their own concept of power," Péter Rona - a former opposition presidential candidate - told the BBC.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your evening!
From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026
The first Graham showcased how the ability to compartmentalize in politics can be a great gift — a nod to the old maxim that today’s enemy might be tomorrow’s friend.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Clare gathered himself from the floor and, with great effort against the howling wind, pushed his door shut.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute, describing him as "one of the greats".
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
But in Sunday's showpiece, Sinner once again demonstrated the unshakeable resilience that has taken him to a landmark fifth major - and will go on to establish him among the greats.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
While much of the source material comes from elsewhere, the cumulative mood is extremely personal to an artist who has spent his life helping the greats find true expression.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
The library even invited me to click on the ice-cream cones “to discover which literary greats were born on this day!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Then, in the summer of 1954, Bobby had an opportunity to see in action some of the greats he’d been reading about.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
But he’s running for office with much greater ambitions.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
The budget includes a provision that restricts the maximum tax credit companies can claim in a given year to $5 million or 50% of a company’s tax state tax liability, whichever is greater.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
More precise maps could also help neurosurgeons navigate one of the brain's most delicate regions with greater confidence.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
“Do we really need to be in a transitional phase to a yet greater speed?” he asks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The farther away a planet, the greater its orbital period.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
Dark matter has long been one of astronomy's greatest mysteries.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026
Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini are widely regarded as the two greatest France players of all time, but French football expert Julien Laurens believes Mbappe will surpass them.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Michigan, or the titanic struggle of Joey Chestnut vs. a hot dog, the distinction of greatest rivalry in sports belongs to a showdown that isn’t such a regular fixture on the calendar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
“Should we work together to shift everything closer to the imaginary hyperdrive? Should our greatest goal be to create a society with even more intense accelerations?”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
It was an unusual activity, to be sure; but Clare, too, found that his greatest treasures were from the garbage.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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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