: relating to or involved in the big time
big-time sports
: in a major or large-scale way
the new show bombed big-time
also
: to a great extent or degree
owes me big-time
1
: a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
2
: the top rank of an activity or enterprise
Examples of big-time in a Sentence
Adverb
wow, those renovations improved the library big-time
Noun
the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling
Recent Examples on the Web
Mac Engel
june 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Multiple, big-time blue-blood jobs came open and were filled by several high-profile coaches looking to prove their worth on the brightest stage.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023
All those things can be potential avenues for big-time infections.
—Ambar Castillo, STAT, 23 Mar. 2023
ABC News, 20 June 2026
And also damaging winds at 75 mph or higher, and of course big time hail.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for big-time
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
The Senate’s version of Bert and Ernie is focused legislation for the big-time college game, while there are other politicians trying to help out the lower levels where the players don’t have a transfer portal, or can make millions in NIL.
—Mac Engel
june 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Multiple, big-time blue-blood jobs came open and were filled by several high-profile coaches looking to prove their worth on the brightest stage.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
Adverb
Read more:Recent live events, rise of David Benavidez show boxing is thriving in Arizona Familia Ramos Anyone who has watched Jesús Ramos fight can see that there is big-time potential in the 22-year-old super welterweight.
—José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023
All those things can be potential avenues for big-time infections.
—Ambar Castillo, STAT, 23 Mar. 2023
Noun
That decision paid off big time.
—ABC News, 20 June 2026
And also damaging winds at 75 mph or higher, and of course big time hail.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for big-time
Cite this Entry
“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big-time. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
