1
2
a
: large in number or measure : numerous
great multitudes
b
: predominant
the great majority
3
: remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness
great bloodshed
4
—used as a generalized term of approval
had a great time
It was just great.
5
a
: eminent, distinguished
a great poet
b
: aristocratic, grand
great ladies
c
: chief or preeminent over others
—often used in titles
Lord Great Chamberlain
6
: markedly superior in character or quality
7
a
: remarkably skilled
great at tennis
b
: marked by enthusiasm : keen
great on science fiction
8
: more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative
great-grandfather
9
: long continued
a great while
11
: full of emotion
great with anger
plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
a tribute to the greats of baseball
Synonyms
Examples of great in a Sentence
Adjective
all creatures great and small
The project will require a great amount of time and money.
The building was restored at great expense.
a great quantity of fish
The low cost of these products gives them great appeal.
There is a very great need for reform.
They're in no great hurry to finish.
There is a great demand for his services.
an actress of great charm
Is there any love greater than that between parent and child?
Adverb
We had some problems at first, but now things are going just great.
Keep up the good work. You're doing great!
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Emma, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
Early regulation of the still emerging AI industry is likely to make the wrong calls precisely because the unknowns about the industry are greater than the knowns.
—Clark D. Asay, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024
Plus, since the shades of green in the Agatha and Colette are the same, the sets look great mixed and matched.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
Jenna Fryer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Napheesa Collier and Kelly Faris were some of the former greats at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great 
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Adjective
The time to act is now – before the cost of inaction becomes too great to bear.
—Matthew Emma, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
Early regulation of the still emerging AI industry is likely to make the wrong calls precisely because the unknowns about the industry are greater than the knowns.
—Clark D. Asay, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The former Green Bay Packers great spoke with TMZ Sports about his health and the benefit of having been diagnosed in the very early stages of the disease.
—Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2024
Plus, since the shades of green in the Agatha and Colette are the same, the sets look great mixed and matched.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
Advertisement The championship made Verstappen only the sixth driver in F1 history to win four or more titles, adding him to the list that includes all-time greats Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Alain Prost, former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel and Juan Manuel Fangio.
—Jenna Fryer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Napheesa Collier and Kelly Faris were some of the former greats at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great
Articles Related to great
Dictionary Entries Near great
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
great
1 of 3 adjective
ˈgrāt 
in South also ˈgre(ə)t
1
: large in size : not small or little
2
: large in number : numerous
a great crowd
3
: long continued
a great while
4
: beyond the average or ordinary
a great weight
in great pain
5
: distinguished, prominent
a great artist
6
: more distant in relationship by one generation
7
: superior in quality or character
8
: remarkable in skill
great at tennis
9
—used as a term of general approval
had a great time
greatly
adverb
greatness
noun
great
2 of 3 adverb
: in a great manner : successfully, well
great
3 of 3 noun
plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
the greats of baseball
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