big-time

1 of 3

adjective

: relating to or involved in the big time
big-time sports
also : major sense 4
big-time operators

big-time

2 of 3

adverb

: in a major or large-scale way
the new show bombed big-time
also : to a great extent or degree
owes me big-time

big time

3 of 3

noun

1
: a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
2
: the top rank of an activity or enterprise
big-timer noun

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
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
There are a lot of moving parts at PVH, which is taking back its North American wholesale licenses from G-III Apparel Group, working out the kinks in Calvin Klein’s new global product kitchen, sharpening its inventory approach, and working to sync up product innovation with big-time marketing. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 1 July 2025 Read more: Lakers Make Intriguing $12 Million Signing To Begin NBA Free Agency Porter has been a big-time part of the Denver roster in recent years. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
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 lack of big time success is one reason many opposing fans remain skeptical about the Red Raiders’ chances, but so far both the newcomers and veterans have done a good job of blocking out the noise. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025 The taxpayers won big time with this program as well, paying just under $5,000 per unit. Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for big-time

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1910, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of big-time was in 1910

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big-time. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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