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.
Birds of Poole Harbour, the conservation charity leading the reintroduction scheme, said it was a "great start to what will hopefully be another big successful year".
From BBC • May 23, 2026
“Gridlock is generally great for stocks,” he added.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
Thank you, Kaden and Aaron, and congratulations for being such accomplished athletes and even more so, for being great human beings.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
The downside, as with all great teachers in the arts, was a crowd of epigones.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
“It sounds like a great idea, and totally doable. Boat races, some food trucks, some carnival games.”
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
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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