large

adjective \ ˈlärj \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of large

larger; largest

1 obsolete : lavish

2 obsolete

a : ample, abundant

a large crop of apples

b : extensive, broad

a large expanse of farmland

3 a : having more than usual capacity or scope : comprehensive

take the large view

will take a larger role in the negotiations

b : powerful, forceful

had a large influence on the lives of his family

c : very successful or popular

a large rock band

4 a : exceeding most other things of like kind especially in quantity or size : big

a large number of complaints

b : dealing in great numbers or quantities

a large and highly profitable business

5 obsolete

a of language or expression : coarse, vulgar

b : lax in conduct : loose

6 of a wind : favorable

7 : extravagant, boastful

large talk

—

largeness

noun

—

largish

play \ˈlär-jish\ adjective

See large defined for English-language learners

See large defined for kids

Examples of large in a Sentence

a large glass of water
It's the largest city in the state.
These T-shirts are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
Which city has the largest population?
Her policies are supported by a large part of the population.
A large number of workers have filed complaints.
He has a very large appetite.

Recent Examples of large from the Web

In Illinois, whether a shopper is charged sales tax at online checkout depends on if the retailer has a large enough physical presence in the state to trigger collection requirements.

— lauren zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "Supreme Court case could make sales tax-free e-commerce sites tougher to find," 13 Apr. 2018
The legislation was backed by a high-powered coalition of companies that are either based in Maryland or have a large presence here.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland-based companies would get tax break under bill sent to Hogan," 13 Apr. 2018
Students at Burlingame High seemed hesitant to hit the dance floor at first, gathering in large numbers but keeping a safe distance.

— peter hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, "Pam the Funkstress honored with Burlingame High School DJ jam," 13 Apr. 2018
The World Health Organization has often noted that even large numbers of bodies left after a disaster do not pose a major health risk, since the victims die of trauma not epidemic and bacteria involved in decomposition are not dangerous.

— balint szlanko, Fox News, "1,000 bodies of militant fighters buried in Mosul mass grave," 13 Apr. 2018
Complicating negotiations is the EPA's decision to start granting large numbers of refineries waivers from the ethanol rules, in what midwest senators see as a direct attack on their region's economy.

— Houston Chronicle, "As Trump seeks ethanol deal, oil industry resists," 13 Apr. 2018
Here’s a list of the companies WeWork has acquired so far: Naked Hub (April 2018) — A Chinese co-working startup with a large presence in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.

— shirin ghaffary, Recode, "WeWork is on an acquisition spree — and they’re all over the board," 12 Apr. 2018
Amherst also graduates the largest number of Massachusetts students who then decide to stay here.

— shirley leung, BostonGlobe.com, "UMass Amherst isn’t the bad guy in the Mount Ida saga," 12 Apr. 2018
There will be a large police presence on the college campus during the exercise, which will use simulated gunfire.

— mark kellam, latimes.com, "Police department conducting training at Glendale Community College," 11 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of large

Middle English, from Anglo-French, broad, wide, generous, from Latin largus generous, plentiful

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

large Synonyms

large

adverb

Definition of large

1 obsolete : in abundance : amply, liberally

2 : with the wind abaft the beam

3 : in a large manner : extravagantly

living large

Examples of large in a Sentence

college students living large on generous allowances from indulgent parents

Recent Examples of large from the Web

In the end, the Heat's road record (2-12 over its last 14 games) looms large here.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Here is a breakdown of the matchup between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers | Miami Herald," 13 Apr. 2018
Two of the accused are former military personnel; police say a former lieutenant colonel, who remains at large, planned the attack, motivated by his opposition to Mr. Ko Ni’s politics.

— niharika mandhana, WSJ, "A Murder Trial Rekindles Fears in Suu Kyi’s Myanmar," 12 Apr. 2018
Once peppers have been in the oven for 20 minutes, add 1 pound large shelled, deveined shrimp to the baking sheet.

— the good housekeeping test kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Roasted Shrimp & Poblano Salad," 30 Mar. 2016
For those unconvinced that Trump’s recent actions constitute a real change, the Iran nuclear deal looms large on the horizon.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "Is Trump finding 'America First' incompatible with 'America alone'?," 30 Mar. 2018
Trump’s name is rarely spoken, but his shadow looms large in the background.

— jason parham, WIRED, "The Fall of the TV Family in Trump's America," 28 Mar. 2018
Downtown looms large from the edge of the infinity pool; the Pacific Ocean seems a stone's throw away.

— jeffery marino, latimes.com, "Looking to rent in luxury? These could be yours for six figures a month," 23 Mar. 2018
Also gone are the first movie's main cast members, Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba, although the latter's character, Stacker Pentecost, looms large as the next generation steps up in his stead.

— brian truitt, USA TODAY, "Review: 'Pacific Rim Uprising' punches you in the face with its monstrous nonsense," 21 Mar. 2018
Heat for 30 seconds and add 1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Keep it simple for Valentine's Day," 8 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of large

see ¹large

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

large Synonyms

Synonyms

expensively, extravagantly, fatly, grandly, high, lavishly, luxuriously, opulently, palatially, plushly, richly, sumptuously;

Antonyms

austerely, humbly, modestly, plainly, simply;

Near Antonyms

unpretentiously;

cheaply, economically, frugally, inexpensively, meagerly, poorly, skimpily, sparely, sparingly, thriftily;

conservatively, moderately, prudently, reasonably, restrainedly, sensibly, temperately;

grandiosely, ostentatiously, pompously, pretentiously;

affluently, comfortably, fine, wealthily;

immoderately, indulgently, intemperately, prodigally, wantonly, wastefully;

large

noun

Definition of large

1 obsolete : liberality, generosity

2 slang : a thousand dollars

— at large

1 a : free of restraint or confinement

the escaped prisoner is still at large

b : without a specific subject or assignment

critic at large

2 : at length

3 : in a general way

4 : as a whole

society at large

5 : as the political representative of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions —used in combination with a preceding noun

a congressman-at-large

— in the large

: on a large scale : in general

See large defined for English-language learners

Examples of large in a Sentence

These shirts are all larges.
“What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.”

Recent Examples of large from the Web

Indeed, the story of Comey vs. Trump is the story of the Trump administration at-large.

— harry enten, CNN, "More Americans believe Comey over Trump, but no one is changing their mind," 14 Apr. 2018
Kevin Roose writes a column called The Shift and is a writer-at-large for The New York Times Magazine.

— kevin roose, New York Times, "Kevin’s Week in Tech: Extra! Extra! News Beyond Facebook!," 6 Apr. 2018
Councilman-at-large Steve Pierson said he's received calls from residents concerned about commercial development and flooding.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Katy residents raise concerns about planned development district," 28 Feb. 2018
Gulf News previously has said Matthew served as its editor from 1995-2005 and then became an editor-at-large at the newspaper.

— Washington Post, "British editor in UAE gets 10 years for wife’s slaying," 25 Mar. 2018
Gulf News previously has said Matthew served as its editor from 1995-2005 and then became an editor-at-large at the newspaper.

— malak harb, chicagotribune.com, "British editor in UAE gets 10 years for wife's slaying," 25 Mar. 2018
Matthews had served as the editor of the prominent English-language newspaper Gulf News from 1995-2005 and then became an editor-at-large at the newspaper.

— malak harb, Fox News, "British editor in UAE gets 10 years for wife's slaying," 25 Mar. 2018
Kevin Roose writes a column called The Shift and is a writer-at-large for The New York Times Magazine.

— kevin roose, New York Times, "Kevin’s Week in Tech: Zuckerberg’s Answers to Privacy Scandal Raise More Questions," 22 Mar. 2018
Kevin Roose writes a column called The Shift and is a writer-at-large for The New York Times Magazine.

— kevin roose, New York Times, "Kevin’s Week in Tech: Theranos, Fraud and the Failure to Fail," 16 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of large

see ¹large

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

LARGE Defined for English Language Learners

large

adjective

Definition of large for English Language Learners

: great in size or amount
: not limited in importance, range, etc.

large

noun

Definition of large for English Language Learners

: something that is sold in a large size : something that is bigger than others of the same kind

LARGE Defined for Kids

large

adjective \ ˈlärj \

Definition of large for Students

larger; largest

: more than most others of a similar kind in amount or size : big

a large room

a large city

—

largeness

noun

— at large

1 : not captured or locked up

The bank robbers are still at large.

2 : as a group or a whole

the public at large

3 : representing a whole state or district

a delegate-at-large

Learn More about large

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

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large

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Origin and Etymology of large

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large

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large

Definition of large for English Language Learners

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large

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