Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
       

big

 
pronunciation:
bIg
parts of speech:
adjective, adverb
phrases:
big on
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
inflections: bigger, biggest
definition 1: large in size, number, extent, or weight.
He'd always wanted a big, fancy car.The movie attracted a big audience on the first night.
 
synonyms:
considerable, grand, great, large, sizable
antonyms:
little, small
similar words:
ample, bulky, colossal, copious, enormous, extensive, gargantuan, giant, gigantic, grandiose, huge, hulking, immense, imposing, mammoth, massive, monstrous, monumental, prodigious, spacious, substantial, tremendous, vast, voluminous
definition 2: important or of great influence or concern.
Where the new bridge should be constructed was a big issue for the town.
synonyms:
consequential, considerable, great, important, major, momentous, salient, significant, substantial, weighty
antonyms:
little, minor, small, trivial
similar words:
chief, eminent, influential, leading, main, material, notable, prominent, vital
definition 3: older; grown-up.
Her big brother was now in college.
synonyms:
adult, grown, grown-up, mature
antonyms:
little
definition 4: generous or magnanimous (often fol. by "of").
It was big of you to forgive them after what they did to you.She has a big heart and is kind to everyone.
synonyms:
altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, generous, large, liberal, magnanimous, unselfish
similar words:
chivalrous, considerate, gracious, high-minded, humane, kindly
definition 5: avid, enthusiastic, or devoted.
She is a big fan of the pianist.He is a big believer in getting plenty of exercise.
synonyms:
ardent, avid, dedicated, devoted
similar words:
faithful, fervent
definition 6: (informal) important, influential, or successful.
You think you're so big, don't you!He's a big man in Washington these days.They were a great band, but they never really got big.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: big on
 
part of speech: adverb
inflections: bigger, biggest
definition: (informal) in a boastful or pretentious way.
He talks big, but only half of what he says is true.You can stop acting big now--we know the real you.
synonyms:
boastfully, pompously, pretentiously
derivation: bigness (n.)
Word Explorer
See
  measurement