big hitter

noun

US

: a notably powerful, prominent, or important person or organization

James Carville was seen dining at The Palm with 20 or so other big hitters who were avoiding the balls, which had underwhelmed them the last time.

—Eric Konigsberg, Vogue, March 1997

I hired another senior account supervisor who was a really big hitter.

—Charles Tentrick, Lessons From the Edge, 2003

Madoff was a big hitter so you'd expect him to be using a big hitter's accounting firm to conduct audits and verify his accounts.

—Jeffrey Robinson, Revelation of Audacious Frauds, Scams, and Cons, 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for big hitter

• embitter
• emitter
• outfitter
• remitter
• submitter
• transmitter
• babysitter
• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter