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1

great

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adjective \ˈgrāt, Southern also ˈgre(ə)t\

Definition of great

  1. 1a :  notably large in size :  huge all creatures great and smallb :  of a kind characterized by relative largeness —used in plant and animal names the great horned owlc :  elaborate, ample great detail

  2. 2a :  large in number or measure :  numerous great multitudesb :  predominant the great majority

  3. 3 :  remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness great bloodshed

  4. 4 :  full of emotion great with anger

  5. 5a :  eminent, distinguished a great poetb :  chief or preeminent over others —often used in titles Lord Great Chamberlainc :  aristocratic, grand great ladies

  6. 6 :  long continued a great while

  7. 7 :  principal, main a reception in the great hall

  8. 8 :  more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative great-grandfather

  9. 9 :  markedly superior in character or quality; especially :  noble great of soul

  10. 10a :  remarkably skilled great at tennisb :  marked by enthusiasm :  keen great on science fiction

  11. 11 —used as a generalized term of approval had a great time it was just great

greatness

noun

See great defined for English-language learners

See great defined for kids

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Examples of great in a Sentence

  1. all creatures great and small

  2. The project will require a great amount of time and money.

  3. The building was restored at great expense.

  4. a great quantity of fish

  5. The low cost of these products gives them great appeal.

  6. There is a very great need for reform.

  7. They're in no great hurry to finish.

  8. There is a great demand for his services.

  9. an actress of great charm

  10. Is there any love greater than that between parent and child?

Recent Examples of great from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'great'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of great

Middle English grete, from Old English grēat; akin to Old High German grōz large

great Synonyms

Synonyms
accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, proficient, master, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), professed, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso
Antonyms
amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful
Related Words
adroit, clever, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), handy, slick, sure-handed; gifted, talented; polished, refined; effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike; able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified; educated, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored; all-around (also all-round), well-rounded; long-term, old; multiskilled, multitalented
Near Antonyms
incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak; artless, crude, rude; ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient; talentless, ungifted, untalented; ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored; beginning, green, inexperienced, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be; primitive, rough, unpolished; awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed
2

great

adverb

Definition of great

  1. :  in a great manner :  well Things are going great.

See great defined for English-language learners

Examples of great in a Sentence

  1. We had some problems at first, but now things are going just great.

  2. Keep up the good work. You're doing great!

Origin and Etymology of great

see 1great

great Synonyms

Synonyms
agreeably, charmingly, delectably, deliciously, delightfully, dreamily, enchantingly, enjoyably, favorably, felicitously, fetchingly, gloriously, gratifyingly, well, nicely, palatably, pleasantly, pleasingly, pleasurably, prettily, satisfyingly, splendidly, sweetly, swimmingly, welcomely, winningly
Antonyms
badly, disagreeably, ill, unpleasantly
Related Words
finely, grandly, magnificently; advantageously, helpfully; blessedly, fortunately, happily, luckily; excellently, superbly; marvelously, sensationally, wonderfully; attractively, beautifully, handsomely; appealingly, appetizingly, enticingly, invitingly, temptingly
Near Antonyms
abominably, appallingly, awfully, dreadfully, horrendously, horribly, horridly, shockingly, sickeningly, terribly, vilely; annoyingly, disgustingly, distressingly, irritatingly, vexingly
3

great

noun

Definition of great

plural

great

or

greats

  1. :  an outstandingly superior or skillful person a tribute to the greats of baseball

See great defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of great

see 1great

GREAT Defined for English Language Learners

great

adverb

Definition of great for English Language Learners

  • : very well

great

noun

Definition of great for English Language Learners

  • : a very successful or admired person

GREAT Defined for Kids

great

play
adjective \ˈgrāt\

Definition of great for Students

greater

;

greatest

  1. 1 :  very large in size :  huge a great mountain

  2. 2 :  large in amount a great crowd

  3. 3 :  1long 2 a great while

  4. 4 :  much beyond the ordinary a great success

  5. 5 :  important 1, distinguished a great artist

  6. 6 :  very talented or successful She's great at diving.

  7. 7 :  very good We had a great time.

greatly

adverb He's greatly admired.

Learn More about great

  1. See words that rhyme with great Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for great Spanish Central: Translation of great Nglish: Translation of great for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of great for Arabic speakers

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Examples: great in a Sentence