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 if he has zero symptoms and everything else is going great — he’s over the moon with his new child, he’s so happy — that’s not somebody I’m going to treat with testosterone.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
"We're really pleased this incident ended safely and it was great to meet everybody at the lifeboat station because we don't often get the chance to chat to the people we rescue."
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
China is paying a great deal of attention to all this.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Domino’s has the bones of a great restaurant business: a franchised model, strong advertising, a powerful supply chain, and a brand built around value and convenience.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
"Oh, Sir Knight, it is too obvious a matter to be mentioned. All knights carry money, believe me, it's a necessity," the innkeeper said with great feeling.
From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios
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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