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.
Traders searching for the next great growth stories could think they must buy shares at whatever price the market will bear.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
And that was one of the great values of an in-person festival, the ability very quickly to communicate with distributors, with tastemakers, with critics from around the world and get that kind of information.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
Sir Elton was quick to highlight his pride of UK music stating that "we're an amazing country that produces great songwriting."
From BBC • May 21, 2026
WSJ | Buy Side: A great portable battery fits in your pocket and keeps your phone charged for days.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Prisoners on kitchen detail lugged in great buckets of gruel made of wheat and peas, tasteless but nourishing.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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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