large

1 of 3

adjective

larger; largest
Synonyms of largenext
1
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
2
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
3
: extravagant, boastful
large talk
4
of a wind : favorable
5
obsolete : lavish
6
obsolete
a
: ample, abundant
a large crop of apples
b
: extensive, broad
a large expanse of farmland
7
obsolete
a
of language or expression : coarse, vulgar
b
: lax in conduct : loose
largeness noun
largish adjective

large

2 of 3

adverb

1
: in a large manner : extravagantly
living large
2
: with the wind abaft the beam
3
obsolete : in abundance : amply, liberally

large

3 of 3

noun

1
slang : a thousand dollars
2
obsolete : liberality, generosity

Examples of large in a Sentence

Adjective 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. Adverb college students living large on generous allowances from indulgent parents Noun These shirts are all larges. “What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.”
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
Using a large spoon and working one at a time, carefully lower 9 large eggs into pan. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026 And with many larger room categories available, families of all sizes will find a place to bed down that fits their needs. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Democrats writ large got a massive shot in the arm Tuesday night with key victories in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City that President Trump even acknowledged Wednesday morning. Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025 That’s probably because the shoes come up large and were slightly too wide in our regular size. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025
Noun
In these areas, a person could easily trigger an avalanche large enough to bury someone. Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 The large fits us perfectly, just loose enough without feeling oversized. Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for large

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of large was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/large. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

large

adjective
ˈlärj
larger; largest
: greater, bigger, more extended, or more powerful than usual
largeness noun

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