: 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
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
For now, however, Hurley’s desert denouement will place him in the very small list of big-time basketball coaches whose tenures have actually run their contractual course.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
This time last season, head coach Jesus Lopez’s ball club was young and struggling big time at the plate.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for big-time
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Adjective
There’s also a group of aunts and uncles who were big-time players in Seneca.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
For now, however, Hurley’s desert denouement will place him in the very small list of big-time basketball coaches whose tenures have actually run their contractual course.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 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
The decision to cast so many comedians in the voice ensemble pays off big time, with lots of fun idiosyncratic personalities.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
This time last season, head coach Jesus Lopez’s ball club was young and struggling big time at the plate.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 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 17 Mar. 2026.
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