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.
But for all of his great work, the day was all about DeCaro’s dominance.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
"It was a great escape from hardship at the time, so it has always been something special to me."
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
Throughout the playoffs, the 7-foot-4 prodigy from France had emerged as the NBA’s next great superstar.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
The main “Toy Story” franchise has yet to take a major stumble because the franchise has great bones.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
I’ve made a list of the ten great concert halls around the globe that I want to play in someday.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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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