great

1 of 3

adjective

ˈgrāt How to pronounce great (audio)
 Southern also  ˈgre(ə)t
1
a
: notably large in size : huge
all creatures great and small
b
: of a kind characterized by relative largeness
used in plant and animal names
the great horned owl
c
: elaborate, ample
great detail
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
especially : noble
great of soul
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
10
: principal, main
a reception in the great hall
11
: full of emotion
great with anger

great

2 of 3

adverb

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

great

3 of 3

noun

plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
a tribute to the greats of baseball

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
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
The future of Hollywood depends on whether the industry recognizes that its greatest asset isn’t its distribution technology but its storytellers. Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2025 The scene, staged at Carnegie Hall, a venue built by one of America’s great 19th century philanthropists, paid tribute to a long tradition of American giving, while pointing to new ways of thinking that are shaping the 21st century. Sam Jacobs, Time, 20 May 2025
Adverb
Brexit didn’t work out great, but that wasn’t really Carney’s fault. Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025 Some feel that his father, NFL great and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has blame to shoulder. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
There can be no doubt that City have a team that will go down as one of the greats of European football. Sam Lee, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Walter Hagen is one of the sport’s all-time greats. Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for great

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1916, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of great was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

great

1 of 3 adjective
ˈgrāt How to pronounce great (audio)
 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

More from Merriam-Webster on great

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