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
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
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
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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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