large

1 of 3

adjective

ˈlärj 

larger; largest

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

ˈlär-jish 

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

see also:

writ large

large

3 of 3

noun

1

slang : a thousand dollars

2

obsolete : liberality, generosity

see also:

at large in the large

Synonyms of large

Adjective

• sizable
• substantial
• considerable
• big
• huge
• oversize
• vast
• great
• handsome

Adverb

• high
• expensively
• luxuriously
• fine
• richly
• comfortably
• extravagantly

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

Adjective

Here the 40,000-square-foot wellness facility—the largest dedicated spa on Shura Island—includes 39 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms that overlook lagoons and gardens. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

Their interaction could change electron motion and contribute to the large Hall response. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Brady Christensen, who can play all five offensive line spots, looms large on the free-agent market. — Mike Kaye june 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026

With the back-to-back deaths of the district's representative, who were both in their 70s, age loomed large over the race, especially as younger Democrats push for a new generation of candidates. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 26 May 2026

Noun

Short-term markets can be a sweet spot for traders, as are those with a large of number of participants. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Dimensional Fund Advisors ran an analysis on first-year performance of IPOs compared with the 3000 larges companies in the United States (the Russell 3000) from 1992 to 2018. — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing large

• ambassador-at-large
• (as) large as life
• at-large
• bulk large
• by and large
• draw a big/large crowd
• in good/great/large part
• in large measure
• in large part
• in the large
• large calorie
• large-hearted
• large intestine
• large language model
• large-minded
• large-print
• large-scale
• large-scale integration
• law of large numbers
• live large
• loom large
• writ large

Rhymes for large

• barge
• charge
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• surcharge
• overcharge

Kids Definition

large

adjective

ˈlärj

larger; largest

: greater, bigger, more extended, or more powerful than usual

largeness noun