First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1big
adjective \ˈbig\
: large in size
: large in number or amount
: involving or including many people, things, etc.
big·gerbig·gest
Full Definition of BIG
1
a obsolete : of great strength b : of great force <a big storm>
2
a : large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent <a big house>; also : large or great in quantity, number, or amount <a big fleet> b : operating on a large scale <big government> c : capital 1
3
4
a : chief, preeminent <the big issue of the campaign> b : outstandingly worthy or able <a truly big man> c : of great importance or significance <the big moment> d : imposing, pretentious; also : marked by or given to boasting <big talk> e : magnanimous, generous <was big about it>
5
: popular <soft drinks are very big in Mexico — Russ Leadabrand>
6
: full-bodied and flavorful —used of wine
— big·ly adverb
— big·ness noun
— big on
: strongly favoring or liking; also : noted for <she is big on blushing — Arnold Hano>
See big defined for English-language learners
See big defined for kids
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Origin of BIG
Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect bugge important man
Related to BIG
- Synonyms
- important, consequential, earthshaking, earth-shattering, eventful, historic, major, material, meaningful, momentous, monumental, much, significant, substantial, tectonic, weighty
- Antonyms
- inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, minor, negligible, slight, small, trifling, trivial, unimportant
2big
adverb
: in a big way
: in a way that is meant to impress people
Full Definition of BIG
1
: in a loud or declamatory manner; also : in a boasting manner <talk big>
2
a : to a large amount or extent <won big> b : on a large scale <think big>
3
: hard <hits her forehand big>
See big defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BIG
1556
3big
noun
Definition of BIG
: an individual or organization of outstanding importance or power; especially : major league —usually used in plural <playing in the bigs>
First Known Use of BIG
1833
Related to BIG
- Synonyms
- big shot, big boy, big cheese, bigfoot, biggie, big gun, big leaguer, big-timer, big wheel, bigwig, fat cat, heavy, heavy hitter, heavyweight, high-muck-a-muck (or high-muckety-muck), honcho, kahuna, kingfish, kingpin, major leaguer, muckety-muck (also muck-a-muck or mucky-muck), nabob, nawab, nibs, nob [chiefly British], pooh-bah (also poo-bah), wheel
- Antonyms
- lightweight, nobody, nonentity, nothing, shrimp, twerp, whippersnapper, zero, zilch
BIGNESS Defined for Kids
big
adjective \ˈbig\
big·gerbig·gest
Definition of BIG for Kids
1
: large in size <a big house> <a big man>
2
: large in number or amount <a big group>
3
: of great importance <big news>
4
: of great strength or force <a big storm>
— big·ness noun
Learn More About BIG
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