large

1 of 3

adjective

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 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In addition, Instagram has improved a few other corners to make better use of the larger display. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025 The largest ethnic group within that population is Burmese Muslims – known as Rohingya – who have been denied Burmese citizenship, faced widespread human rights abuses and, starting in 2016, genocide at the hands of the Burmese military. Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
That’s probably because the shoes come up large and were slightly too wide in our regular size. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025 That these are happening at a moment of precariousness for the industry writ large makes the stakes that much higher. Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
Noun
Japan, the biggest holder of Treasuries, saw a $12.6 billion rise in its holdings, to $1.15 trillion, while China’s stockpile — now the third larges, behind the UK — ticked up $100 million $756.4 billion. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025 For example, a small cappuccino from Dunkin Donuts contains 118 milligrams of caffeine, while a large contains 252 milligrams. Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for large

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of large was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/large. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

large

adjective
ˈlärj
larger; largest
: greater, bigger, more extended, or more powerful than usual
largeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on large

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