: 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
Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
The 2026 Met Gala may have been last Monday, but on the red carpets this week, stars continued to channel some big-time Met energy.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 May 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
Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
That means now the supply shortages are going to kick in big time.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for big-time
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Adjective
Locals, even some hardened to the realities of big-time sports, bought into Kiffin’s genuine affection for the people and the place.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
The 2026 Met Gala may have been last Monday, but on the red carpets this week, stars continued to channel some big-time Met energy.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 May 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
Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and food prices are all on the upswing — big time.
—Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
That means now the supply shortages are going to kick in big time.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 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 13 May. 2026.
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