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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
Jones received big-time money from the New York Giants a few years back. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 Both Jayhawks stepped up big-time on Wednesday. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Nov. 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
Hornet football is coming off of a thrilling, ‘cardiac-arrest’ victory, 23-20, against Idaho behind Sacramento State quarterback Cardell Williams’ game-winning drive that included two big time throws to Jordan Williams and his own rush touchdown to seal the deal. Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025 Perennial favorites are found through classic-style meet and greets, like Mickey Mouse and Stitch, but the character offerings have been plussed big time. Carly Caramanna, Parents, 20 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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