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at large

at large

84 3.7
In a general way without giving details
  • idiom
: en general
  • Is there anything more that you want my audience or the public at large to know about your company?
  • society at large
  • community at large
  • the public at large

And, and then the public at large also counts.

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Examples

  • Your constituents and the opinion of the public at large is changing.

  • We are the only hope for the community and the world at large!

  • So, what do you think about the world at large?

  • You mean society at large?

  • And the world at large enables these relationships.

  • Are you going to run to GoFundMe and hope that the community at large will help fund that thing?

  • Because it ignores the needs of the community at large.

  • I believe that freedom from fear in the world at large and here at home is not negotiable.

  • Now, in the spirit of Mother Teresa, what will be your contribution to your community and the world at large?

  • The new policy will impact the workforce at large, affecting employees across all departments.

Synonyms

broadly
vsat large
26 2.7

In a wide or large way, for example with a big smile

applies to whole groups or the public rather than wide scope
sweepingly
vsat large
1 7.4

In a broad way that affects many people or things

focuses on groups or public meaning instead of strong comprehensiveness
in a broad way
vsat large
4.2

In a general way without details

is used for groups or the public as a whole

Antonyms

950 3.2

Shows one particular thing in a clear, exact way

77 3.1

Give all important facts so someone understands

How General

at large
84 3.7
generally
∞ 1.0
in particular
565 1.9
specifically
950 3.2

Surface Forms

at large positive

Morphology

at + large

The sense 'not yet captured; free' cannot be derived from combining 'at' (prepositional marker) with the literal meaning of 'large' (big). This is an idiomatic/historical extension of 'large' (as 'at liberty') that is not predictable from the constituent meanings, so a B1 learner who knows the words would likely not infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

At large comes from an old use of large meaning 'wide' or 'full'. Imagine a speaker spreading ideas across a wide field; to speak at large is to cover the whole topic, so it now means 'in a general or broad way'.