bigwig

noun

big·​wig ˈbig-ˌwig 

: an important person

Synonyms of bigwig

• heavyweight
• big
• heavy
• magnate
• tycoon

Examples of bigwig in a Sentence

a bigwig in local politics

interviewed by several bigwigs on the hospital's staff

Recent Examples on the Web

Naturally, Bravo’s bigwigs and Cohen were pretty peeved to see gossip sites scooping them on their own reunion. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2026

The joke around the proverbial water cooler goes that this is apparently the week all the bigwigs in lit world got together and decided to embrace their own destruction. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

According to IndieWire, Parsons spent his senior year of high school fielding offers from Hollywood bigwigs for a feature-length Backrooms while applying to colleges. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026

Ever since 1948, when the resident artist Victor Vasarely put Gordes on the map, the town has welcomed political bigwigs, French presidents, artists, and musicians. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bigwig

• renege
• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig

Kids Definition

bigwig

noun

big·​wig ˈbig-ˌwig 

: big shot