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:
Arsenal looked sharper, Tzolis looked incredible, Lewis-Skelly wanted to show he's fighting for his place and City looked absolutely lost, it's only the community shield but what a great show from the Arsenal!
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
“Thank you, George, for some of your brilliant ideas on this great Military Complex/Ballroom!”
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
“We quickly realized when we started how much food it is kind of like the great connector and equalizer,” said Davis.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Frozen fish and veggies are great to have around, too.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026
“So, what—the ancestors give your hair great volume?”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
"That's why you have some of the greats in women's sports. If Title IX and women's sports weren't protected, then you wouldn't hear about any type of women in sport."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
A European, World, Commonwealth and Olympic champion on the pommel horse, he is undeniably one of the sport's greats, but we've been warned to expect 'Rhys 2.0' in Glasgow.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
After moving to Los Angeles, he became a favorite live and session player for many midcentury greats, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Marvin Gaye.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
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
The Louvre was also a sort of art studio, where amateurs came to copy the paintings of the greats.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
The Chosen Ones Espenson cites are part of a destiny ordained either by their bloodline or some greater lineage.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
But analysts say the Arctic could serve as an important future trade route, particularly for China, which has outlined plans for greater access to the region through a "Polar Silk Road".
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
Premier League games at Hull and against Ipswich will offer a greater insight into Carrick's thinking.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Each additional symbol brought the opportunity to bring greater refinement of rhythm, feeling and clarity to the written word.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
The greater the person's mind and talent, the greater the destruction.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Bangladesh thrashed Australia by nine wickets on the fourth day of the series-opener in Darwin to complete one of Test cricket's greatest upsets.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
In those moments, the world’s greatest mathematician offers the models some advice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Because their bodies are still developing, younger generations are expected to experience the greatest lifetime exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026
"The youth have a big role to play in the journey towards a developed India... the greatest beneficiary of a developed India is the youth of the country."
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
He called the greatest minds from all twelve tribes of his people to hear how they thought this problem might be solved.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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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