bigwig

noun

big·​wig ˈbig-ˌwig 

: an important person

Synonyms of bigwig

• heavyweight
• big
• heavy
• magnate
• tycoon

Examples of bigwig in a Sentence

a bigwig in local politics

interviewed by several bigwigs on the hospital's staff

Recent Examples on the Web

Kerry is married to lawyer Billy Macon (Jason Ritter), whose father, William (Garret Dillahunt), is a local bigwig, with a cowboy militia and a wife, Zoe (Poorna Jagannathan), who possibly not coincidentally meets John in a bar. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

The idea, according to officials, would bring $500 million to the city’s coffers annually, paid primarily by bigwigs who get to enjoy city life but don’t pay city income taxes. — Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Stevens boasts the support of a growing list of establishment bigwigs—including Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and the state’s outgoing senator, Gary Peters—who clearly view her as more electable. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

However, after impressing bigwigs at Universal with his short film Amblin’, Spielberg put his education aside in 1968 to pursue filmmaking. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bigwig

• renege
• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig

Kids Definition

bigwig

noun

big·​wig ˈbig-ˌwig 

: big shot