large

adjective \ ˈlärj \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Examples: large in a Sentence

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

For decades, sailors and vendors have flocked to Annapolis in the fall for what’s billed as the world’s largest in-water sailboat show.

— talia richman, baltimoresun.com, "Annapolis Boat Show will 'rise above' after flooding during last year's event," 7 July 2018
So far Mr Fu’s saga is one with no winners, but many losers—including some of the world’s largest firms and governments that have buckled at the first hint of Chinese anger.

— The Economist, "Xi’s world order: July 2024," 7 July 2018
And that's a sign of a much larger problem with NASCAR.

— brendan marks, charlotteobserver, "Blaming NASCAR's young drivers for attendance issues just a sign of a greater problem," 6 July 2018
The parts could have come from the world’s largest Tinker Toy set, determined strokes that lock into a horizontal truss of similar girth at the 20th floor, then angle back and continue their climb.

— john king, SFChronicle.com, "New nimble, frisky SoMa tower fits neatly into surroundings," 6 July 2018
Any shortfall in supply will result in a super-spike in prices, potentially much larger than the $150 a barrel spike witnessed in 2008.

— Fortune, "There Are Fears About an Oil Spike Above $150," 6 July 2018
All at once, 19,058 people surged forward toward the starting line of the world’s largest ultramarathon.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "South Africa's unlikely ultramarathoner helps others cross the finish line," 6 July 2018
At my daughter's house, she was kept in a very large metal cage most of the day because of work and school.

— cathy m. rosenthal, courant.com, "Pet World: Wide-Awake Cat Is Keeping Her Up All Night," 5 July 2018
South Sudan’s civil war has killed tens of thousands and created Africa’s largest refugee crisis since the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

— sam mednick, The Seattle Times, "South Sudan wants to extend president’s term until 2021," 3 July 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

Oil prices reached the highest level in more than three years Wednesday, as threats to global supply loomed large even as major oil exporters increased production.

— stephanie yang, WSJ, "Crude Prices Soar on Supply, Stockpile News," 27 June 2018
While the graduation of several pivotal players on defense looms large, that unit might return enough talent to fill the gaps.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Review & preview: Frostburg State men’s lacrosse," 19 June 2018
The 1,300-mile road trip looms large in the cosmology of Ruscha and, by extension, of modern American art.

— mark rozzo, Vanities, "Ed Ruscha Still Has Plenty More to Say About America," 30 May 2018
The separation of North and South looms large as a metaphor for countless smaller but equally irreconcilable divisions across an entire spectrum of Korean society.

— justin chang, latimes.com, "Director Lee Chang-dong and actor Steven Yeun on the profound mysteries of 'Burning'," 27 May 2018
Although jurors will be instructed to focus only on the allegations and evidence presented in the courtroom, the shadow of the #MeToo movement has loomed large over the run-up to the retrial.

— jeremy roebuck, Philly.com, "Bill Cosby's retrial: Everything you need to know," 6 Apr. 2018
More rate hikes are looming large in May and June as insurers face even more potential losses under a Republican administration.

— Washington Post, "The Health 202: Leading Obamacare insurer says things are 'materially worse' under Trump administration," 1 May 2018
Creating a universal income program here would also be much more expensive, and the question over how it would be funded looms large.

— NBC News, "Finland's experiment with giving away money shines a light on the idea of universal basic income," 29 Apr. 2018
But one of the most maddening elements of this case — and why writing off the defense writ large is so hard — is that Ortega never acted like pure evil before the crime.

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "The Jury and the Family Speak Out As the Nanny Trial Ends," 19 Apr. 2018