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big

big

156 1.0
Likely to do or enjoy something a lot
  • adjective
  • /bɪɡ/
translation icon : gran
  • I myself have a very big range.

You know, for me, I'm really big on morning routines, right?

Examples

  • We're gonna need a bigger trap.

  • The project requires a big investment of time and resources to succeed.

  • Frank still feels that way; he came from a big family and wants one of his own.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I have this really big assignment for work and I got a lot to do.

  • But I still miss your big dressing table where we used to do our hair as children.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Of course, as an adult, I'm a big enough guy, and I've kept myself in shape.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Ronald gestured with a big sweep of his hand toward the back of the house.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Any big weekend plans?

  • A very perky Leslie Miller, with very big hair, stands out front in a white lab coat.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • At first, it is just a few scattered drops, big as berries, but quickly it becomes a downpour.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

large
vsbig
1.0

Bigger than average in size, number, or amount

is about strong capacity or tendency rather than physical size
huge
vsbig
1.0

Very large in size, amount, or degree

relates to having great capacity or tendency instead of sheer size
great
vsbig
1.0

Very large in size or number

highlights notable capacity or tendency rather than comparative size
massive
vsbig
940 2.9

Very large and impressive in scale

is about marked capacity or tendency, not necessarily extreme scale
enormous
vsbig
842 2.1

Very large in size, amount, or effect

points to strong capacity or tendency rather than relative magnitude
tremendous
vsbig
794 3.0

Very large or impressive

focuses on capacity or tendency instead of impressive physical amount
vast
vsbig
721 2.1

Very large in size or amount

emphasizes capability or tendency instead of immensity
heavy
vsbig
355 1.0

Doing or using something a lot

signals inherent capacity or tendency rather than the degree of action
gigantic
vsbig
139 3.2

Very large, much bigger than normal

expresses capacity or tendency rather than sheer enormity
sizable
vsbig
  • US
64 3.7

Quite large in size or amount

focuses on having a strong capacity or tendency instead of size
colossal
vsbig
55 4.7

So large in size or amount that it causes great surprise

signals notable capacity or tendency rather than evoking awe at size
hefty
vsbig
45 4.1

Being large in amount and often expensive

marks tendency or capacity for an activity rather than mere amount
expansive
vsbig
26 5.4

Very large and wide, often used for places or plans

is about strong tendency or capacity rather than broad physical scope
gargantuan
vsbig
19 7.3

Very large, much bigger than usual

marks the idea of strong capacity or tendency rather than massiveness
prodigious
vsbig
19 7.5

Very large or impressive in a way that surprises people

focuses on having great capacity or tendency rather than extraordinariness
stupendous
vsbig
19 6.7

Very large or impressive in a way that amazes people

highlights capacity or tendency rather than astonishing magnitude
larger-than-life
vsbig
  • Informal
13 4.8

A person or thing that seems bigger and more exciting than normal

is about marked capacity or tendency rather than being larger than life
outsized
vsbig
12 4.6

Much larger than is usual for that kind

indicates a strong propensity or capacity rather than unusual size
heroic
vsbig
7 4.2

Is very large and impressive in size or purpose

relates to having great capacity or tendency rather than ambitious size
mammoth
vsbig
5 3.9

Very large in size or amount

refers to having a strong propensity or ability rather than size
outsize
vsbig
3 4.4

Much larger than usual for its kind

emphasizes tendency or capability rather than being larger than normal
hugemongous
vsbig
  • Informal
8.6

Very large, often said in a playful way

focuses on actual capacity or tendency rather than informal exaggeration

Idioms

38 3.5

To a great degree and in an impressive way

14 3.4

A group of people who are close and friendly like a loving home

big cheese
  • Slang
8 5.3

A person who is very important in a group or company

7 4.5

To become very successful and famous in your work

Acting more important than you really are

1 5.5

An important person in a small group who has more power than elsewhere

1 9.9

To fail badly and lose something important

Acting too proud and thinking you are better than others

big if true
  • Texting
9.2

Something that would be very important if it is true

A large chance to succeed or move forward that will happen soon

big woop
  • Informal
9.9

A phrase that says something is not impressive or important

A playful, teasing way to say goodbye to a friend

Deeply stuck in a difficult situation that is hard to leave

suck a big one
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude, insulting phrase that tells someone to go away

Acting more confident and important than you really are

8.1

To ask why someone is doing something when you are annoyed or surprised

Compounds

586 2.1

An important thing or event that affects people

194 1.9

A person who really likes and supports someone or something

big time
  • Informal
161 4.1

A very successful level in entertainment or sport where people become famous

big boy
  • Informal
126 5.3

A grown person who is more independent and responsible, said playfully

119 3.4

An older brother who looks after and helps you

106 3.4

A view of the whole situation that shows the most important parts

big shot
  • Informal
91 3.9

A person who is important and powerful in a job or field

84 2.0

A large amount of money, especially as earnings or profit

71 3.3

Large, powerful companies that influence society and politics

big bucks
  • Informal
61 4.2

A lot of money that someone earns or gets

56 1.0

A sister who is older than you

54 2.7

Something that many people like or buy, especially in one group

51 3.0

The highest level of sports competition, like the major leagues in baseball

50 2.2

An important choice that can change your life

big girl
  • Informal
50 2.3

A girl who acts like an adult and takes responsibility

50 2.3

An important sports event like a championship final that many people watch

big mouth
  • Offensive
49 4.8

A person who talks too much and tells other people's secrets

47 1.0

A wide friendly movement of the mouth that shows happiness

43 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

41 3.2

An important plan or reason that guides a project

41 1.0

A family with many people, often including several children

big break
  • Informal
38 3.2

An important chance that helps a person become successful in their career

38 2.0

An important occasion when people come together, like a wedding or concert

38 3.0

A cinema where films are shown to many people

big deal
  • Informal
37 3.8

An important person who is treated as successful or powerful

30 3.2

A large television screen used to watch films or videos

big baby
  • Offensive
28 5.0

A person who acts like a child by being very sensitive or complaining

27 7.0

A person or organization that watches and controls people's lives too closely

26 2.0

An important part in an event or process

26 2.4

A person who is very kind and ready to help others

big data
  • Specialized
23 3.7

Large sets of information that people analyze with computers to find patterns

big bang
  • Specialized
23 4.6

The moment when the universe begins to expand

19 1.0

The largest toe on the inside of the foot

the Big One
  • Informal
19 7.9

A very large earthquake that causes great damage, often expected in California

18 2.9

Loud applause from an audience to show strong approval

An important public message about news or plans

16 3.0

A large group of musicians that plays jazz or dance music with instruments like trumpets and saxophones

15 5.1

Very expensive and costing a lot of money

15 3.8

Large wild animals like elephants or lions that people hunt for sport

15 4.2

A person who buys many expensive things to show off

14 2.1

A large, important task that takes a lot of time and effort

big fish
  • Informal
14 3.6

An important person in a group or organization who has power

12 2.8

Large wild cats like lions or tigers that can roar

big oil
  • Literature
12 3.2

Large companies in the oil industry that have much money and political power

11 3.2

A pattern of seven bright stars that looks like a large ladle in the northern sky

10 4.2

Having a naturally large, wide body frame and broad shoulders

10 2.5

A loud, happy sound people make when something is very funny

big gun
  • Informal
9 5.1

An important person with power in a company or field

big brother
  • Literature
8 4.8

A powerful government or company that watches people and their private information

8 3.3

A large bell and clock in the tower at the Houses of Parliament in London

big lug
  • Informal
7 6.1

A large clumsy person who is kind and liked

7 3.8

An event when something surprising and important is made known after waiting

big pharma
  • Literature
5 5.1

Large drug companies seen as putting profit before people's health

5 3.5

A large tent used for circus shows

Big Bang theory
  • Specialized
4 4.1

An idea that the universe began when a hot, very dense point expanded quickly

big kahuna
  • Slang
4 9.5

A very important person in a group or organization, often the most powerful

3 4.6

A nickname for the New York Stock Exchange at 11 Wall Street

big board
  • Jargon
3 6.3

A large electronic screen at the New York Stock Exchange that shows stock prices and activity

3 6.9

A show of force used to make others do what you want

big tree
  • Specialized
3 3.5

A very tall evergreen tree from California, for example a giant sequoia

2 3.4

A loud sudden noise like an explosion

2 3.0

A person who eats a lot of food

2 1.0

The longer hand on a clock that points to the minutes

Big Bad Wolf
  • Literature
2 3.2

A wolf in children's stories who hurts or tricks people

Big Blue
  • Specialized
2 8.4

A very large powerful bomb the US military uses to destroy enemy positions

2 7.4

A large electronic or physical board that shows current stock prices at an exchange

big science
  • Specialized
2 5.2

Large scientific projects that need a lot of money and many people to make big discoveries

big dog
  • Informal
2 6.7

A person who is very important and powerful in a group

big daddy
  • Slang
1 8.1

An important person who makes key decisions for a group

big and bad
  • Informal
1 6.8

Very large and so strong that it scares or impresses people

A film version of a book or play made for the cinema

1 5.1

A beautiful coastal area in central California with high cliffs and a rugged coast

Big Tech
  • Literature
1 3.2

Large technology companies that dominate the internet, online services, and social media

How Inclined

obsessed
245 4.8
big
156 1.0
avid
64 3.9
keen
85 2.3
interested
1.0
casual
19 2.8

Surface Forms

big positive
bigger comparative
biggest superlative

Etymology

Big before a noun (as in a big eater or a big supporter) comes from the idea of having a 'large' amount of a quality. So a big supporter has great support or a strong tendency.