: 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
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2023
She's gotten a taste of big-time tournament atmosphere, having been selected to play in the Augusta National Women's Amateur the last two years, even making the cut there last year.
—Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 6 May 2023
Texas manages to be a big-time program without those expectations.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 5 May 2023
And as a big-time college quarterback, De Laura will need to address this publicly.
—Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 5 May 2023
Baylor’s big-time commitment for the 2024 class is joining the Bears a little sooner than expected.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 3 May 2023
Renfro was a first-team all-conference center in 2021 and gives the Badgers a big-time option to replace center Joe Tippmann, who was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 2 May 2023
Auburn has participated in the event each of the last three seasons, and Bruce Pearl earlier in the week said the Tigers would be returning again this upcoming season and have a big-time opponent lined up.
—Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 30 Apr. 2023
But the fan base continues to long for a big-time, field-stretching burner.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2023
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
Tennessee's forward isn't a big-time scorer at this point in his development, but the 19-year old is a serious athlete who could develop into a quality 3&D wing.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 23 Mar. 2023
Exams, deaths, the current news cycle, and even breakups are all big-time stressors that can cause periods to go awry.
—Women's Health, 22 Mar. 2023
Moreno has big-time all-around upside behind the dish, and Gurriel offers comparable bat upside to Varsho and will rotate with the three younger options in the outfield.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
Even as the ongoing housing slump sees national home prices come down a bit from the peaks hit during the Pandemic Housing Boom, most homeowners are still up big-time.
—Lance Lambert, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2023
If a member of his family is involved with a team, Lincoln-Way East’s Tyler Walenga knows that a big-time trophy could be in store.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2023
But if the 6-4, 244-pound signal-caller can put it all together, sign me up for big-time throws to Michael Pittman Jr. and highlight-reel runs on Sundays in Indy.
—Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Mar. 2023
Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2023
As far as trendy jewelry goes, Grace Personalized delivers big time.
—Kara Thompson, Good Housekeeping, 19 Oct. 2022
According to Maxwell Fine, co-founder of West 32 Soju in New York, the U.S. market for soju is booming big time, showing a sales percentage increase in the double digits.
—Susan Choung, Good Housekeeping, 11 Apr. 2023
Getting key stakeholders on board helps maintain and promote company culture big time.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
The longtime San Diegan’s tenacity and competitiveness have paid off big time.
—Diane Bell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2023
With Smith being out of the picture for a majority of the season, several Aggies like Stewart stepped up big time.
—Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023
In the beginning of the doc, the Mariachi Oro is struggling big time.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Taking a leap of faith can pay off big time, so speak your truth.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2023
See More
Adjective
But there was a belief that a Big Ten team could become a recruiting power if successful, especially with its facilities and big-time football programs.
—Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2023
She's gotten a taste of big-time tournament atmosphere, having been selected to play in the Augusta National Women's Amateur the last two years, even making the cut there last year.
—Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 6 May 2023
Texas manages to be a big-time program without those expectations.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 5 May 2023
And as a big-time college quarterback, De Laura will need to address this publicly.
—Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 5 May 2023
Baylor’s big-time commitment for the 2024 class is joining the Bears a little sooner than expected.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 3 May 2023
Renfro was a first-team all-conference center in 2021 and gives the Badgers a big-time option to replace center Joe Tippmann, who was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the New York Jets.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 2 May 2023
Auburn has participated in the event each of the last three seasons, and Bruce Pearl earlier in the week said the Tigers would be returning again this upcoming season and have a big-time opponent lined up.
—Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 30 Apr. 2023
But the fan base continues to long for a big-time, field-stretching burner.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2023
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
Tennessee's forward isn't a big-time scorer at this point in his development, but the 19-year old is a serious athlete who could develop into a quality 3&D wing.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 23 Mar. 2023
Exams, deaths, the current news cycle, and even breakups are all big-time stressors that can cause periods to go awry.
—Women's Health, 22 Mar. 2023
Moreno has big-time all-around upside behind the dish, and Gurriel offers comparable bat upside to Varsho and will rotate with the three younger options in the outfield.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023
Even as the ongoing housing slump sees national home prices come down a bit from the peaks hit during the Pandemic Housing Boom, most homeowners are still up big-time.
—Lance Lambert, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2023
If a member of his family is involved with a team, Lincoln-Way East’s Tyler Walenga knows that a big-time trophy could be in store.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2023
But if the 6-4, 244-pound signal-caller can put it all together, sign me up for big-time throws to Michael Pittman Jr. and highlight-reel runs on Sundays in Indy.
—Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Mar. 2023
Noun
Meanwhile, National Parks are booming and one company is cashing in big time.
—Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2023
As far as trendy jewelry goes, Grace Personalized delivers big time.
—Kara Thompson, Good Housekeeping, 19 Oct. 2022
According to Maxwell Fine, co-founder of West 32 Soju in New York, the U.S. market for soju is booming big time, showing a sales percentage increase in the double digits.
—Susan Choung, Good Housekeeping, 11 Apr. 2023
Getting key stakeholders on board helps maintain and promote company culture big time.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
The longtime San Diegan’s tenacity and competitiveness have paid off big time.
—Diane Bell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2023
With Smith being out of the picture for a majority of the season, several Aggies like Stewart stepped up big time.
—Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023
In the beginning of the doc, the Mariachi Oro is struggling big time.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 22 Jan. 2023
Taking a leap of faith can pay off big time, so speak your truth.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'big-time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near big-time
Cite this Entry
“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big-time. Accessed 28 May. 2023.
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