big

¹big

adjective \ˈbig\

big·ger big·gest

Definition of BIG

1

a obsolete : of great strength

b : of great force <a big storm>

2

a : large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent <a big house>; also : large or great in quantity, number, or amount <a big fleet>

b : operating on a large scale <big government>

c : capital 1

3

a : pregnant; especially : nearly ready to give birth

b : full to bursting : swelling <big with rage>

c of the voice : full and resonant

4

a : chief, preeminent <the big issue of the campaign>

b : outstandingly worthy or able <a truly big man>

c : of great importance or significance <the big moment>

d : imposing, pretentious; also : marked by or given to boasting <big talk>

e : magnanimous, generous <was big about it>

5

: popular <soft drinks are very big in Mexico — Russ Leadabrand>

6

: full-bodied and flavorful —used of wine

— big·ly adverb

— big·ness noun

— big on

: strongly favoring or liking; also : noted for <she is big on blushing — Arnold Hano>

Examples of BIG

1. a big glass of soda
2. She moved to a bigger city.
3. the biggest city in the state
4. He led a big group through the museum.
5. She works for a big company.
6. He organized a big advertising campaign.
7. We had a big fund-raiser for the school.

Origin of BIG

Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect bugge important man

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BIG

Synonyms

important, consequential, earthshaking, earth-shattering, eventful, historic, major, material, meaningful, momentous, monumental, much, significant, substantial, tectonic, weighty

Antonyms

inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, small, trifling, trivial, unimportant

Related Words

decisive, fatal, fateful, strategic; earnest, grave, heavy, serious, sincere; distinctive, exceptional, impressive, outstanding, prominent, remarkable; valuable, worthwhile, worthy; distinguished, eminent, great, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, preeminent, prestigious; famous, notorious, renowned; all-important, central, critical, crucial, essential, key, pivotal, seminal, vital

Near Antonyms

paltry, petty, worthless; anonymous, nameless, obscure, uncelebrated, unknown

Rhymes with BIG

brig, cig, dig, fig, gig, grig, jig, pig, prig, rig, sprig, swig, trig, twig, vig, Whig, wig, zig

²big

adverb

Definition of BIG

1

: in a loud or declamatory manner; also : in a boasting manner <talk big>

2

a : to a large amount or extent <won big>

b : on a large scale <think big>

3

: hard <hits her forehand big>

Examples of BIG

1. He talks big about his plans, but he hasn't done much yet.

First Known Use of BIG

1807

³big

noun

Definition of BIG

: an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power; especially : major league —usually used in plural <playing in the bigs>

Examples of BIG

1. <with that new promotion he's now one of the bigs in the company>
2. <when a candidate is running for president, he's playing in the bigs and cannot afford to make major mistakes>

First Known Use of BIG

1965

Related to BIG

Synonyms

big shot, big boy, big cheese, bigfoot, biggie, big gun, big leaguer, big-timer, big wheel, bigwig, fat cat, heavy, heavy hitter, heavyweight, high-muck-a-muck (or high-muckety-muck), honcho, kahuna, kingfish, kingpin, major leaguer, muckety-muck (also muck-a-muck or mucky-muck), nabob, nawab, nibs, nob [chiefly British], pooh-bah (also poo-bah), wheel

Antonyms

lightweight, nobody, nonentity, nothing, shrimp, twerp, whippersnapper, zero, zilch

Related Words

baron, czar (also tsar or tzar), king, lion, magnate, mogul, prince, tycoon; VIP

Near Antonyms

inferior, subordinate, underling; mediocrity, obscurity