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:
“Muir died feeling that he’d been defeated by that, and that was a great tragedy at the end of his life.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
"I was floating like a dead body, and after great difficulty managed to raise my head slightly."
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
"We must re-empower those communities that have been forgotten about and left behind, and re-industrialise every part of our great country," he added.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Say adios to Argentina: For a great number of soccer fans, Argentina evoked the feeling of getting away with something.
From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026
Last night’s winds had blown a great many leaves from the trees, and they gave a satisfying crunch beneath his paws.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Yet the lasting images from both tournaments are of all-time greats such as Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi dancing on the field.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
After Neill's death was announced, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described him as "one of the greats".
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
One local said she had spent an entire month's wages to buy a ticket for the match so she could see one of the greats with her own eyes at a World Cup.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 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
Faded posters of basketball greats from the 1970s, guys like John “Hondo” Havlicek and Walt “Clyde” Frazier, adorned the walls.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
Nolan keeps them at a much greater distance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
“This transaction is the natural next phase: it gives our shareholders ownership in an investment-grade company with greater scale and diversification, and the balance sheet to sustain long-term returns,” BlueNord Chief Executive Euan Shirlaw said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
The incoming prime minister's approach to spending also leads the Financial Times, which says Burnham will enter Downing Street seeking "greater sway" over important public spending decisions.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
"The main obstacle is the different standards and regulations between African countries. With AfCFTA, we could have greater harmonisation," said Yattabare.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
But to her surprise he said yes, and to her greater surprise added, “I used to do my mom’s nails. So I know how to use the emery board and everything.”
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
One of the greatest obstacles was quantum entanglement.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
The pro-European Union conservative leader was to meet Polgar, who is considered the greatest woman chess player of all time, on Monday to ask if she would take the post.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
The greatest concern has been the fitness of captain Reece James, who played into the latter stages of the tournament after helping England reach the third-place play-off, but suffered hamstring issues.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, 39, is arguably the greatest player in World Cup history, having played more games, scored more goals and collected more assists than anyone who has gone before him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
If you have never written a to-do list, you are missing out on one of civilization’s greatest achievements.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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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