big deal

noun

: something of special importance
what's the big deal?
sometimes used ironically as an interjection

Examples of big deal in a Sentence

The party was a big deal. The cost didn't seem like much to me, but I know it was a big deal for many people.
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.
Deep-Cleaning the Kitchen Performing late-night light cleaning of kitchen surfaces, like wiping down the counter from leftover dinner spills, is usually no big deal. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025 Madonna was already a big deal, and the video was set to premiere on Entertainment Tonight ahead of its MTV debut. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 16 June 2025 The light-hearted murder-mystery was a big deal in the ’70s, with shows like Columbo, McMillan & Wife and McCloud bringing in big ratings for NBC. Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 16 June 2025 That’s a fairly big deal in terms of getting smart home devices singing in perfect harmony, particularly those in a Matter smart home setup. Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for big deal

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big deal was in 1915

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20deal. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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