large

1 of 3

adjective

ˈlärj 

larger; largest

1

a

: exceeding most other things of like kind especially in quantity or size : big

a large number of complaints

b

: dealing in great numbers or quantities

a large and highly profitable business

2

a

: having more than usual capacity or scope : comprehensive

take the large view

will take a larger role in the negotiations

b

: powerful, forceful

had a large influence on the lives of his family

c

: very successful or popular

a large rock band

3

: extravagant, boastful

large talk

4

of a wind : favorable

5

obsolete : lavish

6

obsolete

a

: ample, abundant

a large crop of apples

b

: extensive, broad

a large expanse of farmland

7

obsolete

a

of language or expression : coarse, vulgar

b

: lax in conduct : loose

largeness noun

largish

ˈlär-jish 

adjective

large

2 of 3

adverb

1

: in a large manner : extravagantly

living large

2

: with the wind abaft the beam

3

obsolete : in abundance : amply, liberally

large

3 of 3

noun

1

slang : a thousand dollars

2

obsolete : liberality, generosity

Phrases

at large

1

a

: free of restraint or confinement

the escaped prisoner is still at large

b

: without a specific subject or assignment

critic at large

2

: as a whole

society at large

3

: as the political representative of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions

—used in combination with a preceding noun

a congressman-at-large

4

: at length

5

: in a general way

in the large

: on a large scale : in general

Synonyms

Adjective

• big
• biggish
• boxcar
• bulky
• considerable
• goodly
• grand
• great
• handsome
• hefty
• hulking
• husky
• largish
• outsize
• outsized
• oversize
• oversized
• sizable
• sizeable
• substantial
• tidy
• voluminous

Adverb

• expensively
• extravagantly
• fatly
• grandly
• high
• lavishly
• luxuriously
• opulently
• palatially
• plushly
• richly
• sumptuously

Examples of large in a Sentence

Adjective

a large glass of water

It's the largest city in the state.

These T-shirts are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

Which city has the largest population?

Her policies are supported by a large part of the population.

A large number of workers have filed complaints.

He has a very large appetite.

Adverb

college students living large on generous allowances from indulgent parents

Noun

These shirts are all larges.

“What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In most of the world, including Africa and Latin America, the United States is a larger and more desired source of foreign direct investment and assistance than China. —Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

Put enough hot water to cover the vents in the bottom of a sink or large bin. —USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, broad, wide, generous, from Latin largus generous, plentiful

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing large

• ambassador-at-large
• (as) large as life
• at large
• bulk large
• by and large
• draw a big/large crowd
• in good/great/large part
• in large measure
• in large part
• in the large
• large calorie
• large-hearted
• large intestine
• large language model
• large-minded
• large-print
• large-scale
• large-scale integration
• law of large numbers
• live large
• loom large
• writ large

Kids Definition

large

adjective

ˈlärj

larger; largest

: greater, bigger, more extended, or more powerful than usual

largeness noun