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big

big

6 7.5
In a boastful or showy way
  • adverb
  • /bɪg/
  • Informal
: con fanfarronería
  • It's not right to act big and think you are superior to others just because of your wealth.

And they talk big or feel that they deserve big.

Examples

  • She bragged about winning the award big, as if it made her better than everyone else.

  • He always talks about his achievements in a big manner, making them sound more impressive than they are.

  • You can celebrate yourself and it's not big headed or anything.

  • You know, I've been being a big, big headed guy that I was.

  • I, I'm starting to get a little too big for my britches, probably.

  • So think about I hate, I hate saying it like this because I sound big headed and please don't think it's boastful.

Synonyms

boastfully
vsbig
1 5.4

In a proud way that shows off your achievements

focuses more on grand self-importance rather than simple boasting
pridefully
vsbig
1 6.6

In a way that shows you feel better than others

is more performative and exaggerated in its proud tone
grandiosely
vsbig
1 8.5

In a showy, exaggerated way to impress people

is more about proud self-importance than ornamental showiness
1 8.4

In a showy, proud way using big, fancy words

expresses pride more directly rather than through inflated language
hubristically
vsbig
  • Formal
1 9.7

In a way that shows too much pride in yourself

is more about outward exaggerated pride than internal hubris
vaingloriously
vsbig
  • Literature
1 9.3

In a way that shows too much pride in what you have done or how you look

leans more toward overall self-importance and exaggeration
vauntingly
vsbig
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Talking about things you did to show you are proud

is a broader proud display with exaggerated self-importance
overweeningly
vsbig
  • Formal
1 9.9

To act in a very proud way that ignores other people

is less about raw arrogance and more about showy self-importance
toweringly
vsbig
8.0

In a way that shows you think you are better than others

is focused on exaggerated pride rather than explicit superiority

Antonyms

238 2.8

Not proud and not thinking you are better than others

83 2.7

Not thinking you are better than others and not boasting

Idioms

47 3.5

To a great degree and in an impressive way

16 3.4

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

big cheese
  • Slang
10 5.3

A person who is very important in a group or company

8 4.5

To become very successful and famous in your work

6 8.1

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

2 9.9

To fail badly and lose something important

2 5.5

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

1 9.9

A playful, teasing way to say goodbye to a friend

big woop
  • Informal
1 9.9

A phrase that says something is not impressive or important

suck a big one
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A rude, insulting phrase that tells someone to go away

Acting more important than you really are

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

Deeply stuck in a difficult situation that is hard to leave

Acting more confident and important than you really are

Acting too proud and thinking you are better than others

Compounds

912 2.1

An important thing or event that affects people

306 1.9

A person who really likes and supports someone or something

big boy
  • Informal
204 5.3

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

183 3.4

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

178 3.4

An older brother who looks after and helps you

133 2.0

A large amount of money, especially as earnings or profit

big time
  • Informal
131 4.1

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

115 3.3

Large, powerful companies that influence society and politics

110 2.3

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

91 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

big mouth
  • Offensive
86 4.8

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

big shot
  • Informal
79 3.9

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

big girl
  • Informal
77 2.3

A girl who acts like an adult and takes responsibility

76 2.7

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

70 2.0

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

69 1.0

A wide friendly movement of the mouth that shows happiness

66 2.2

An important choice that can change your life

63 3.2

An important plan or reason that guides a project

62 1.0

A sister who is older than you

61 3.0

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

61 1.0

A family with many people, often including several children

big bucks
  • Informal
61 4.2

A lot of money that someone earns or gets

55 3.2

A large television screen used to watch films or videos

big dog
  • Informal
54 6.7

A person who is very important and powerful in a group

52 3.0

A cinema where films are shown to many people

big break
  • Informal
51 3.2

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

big bang
  • Specialized
51 4.6

The moment when the universe begins to expand

46 2.4

A person who is very kind and ready to help others

big baby
  • Offensive
41 5.0

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

40 2.0

An important part in an event or process

35 3.4

A loud sudden noise like an explosion

big oil
  • Literature
34 3.2

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

big gun
  • Informal
32 5.1

An important person with power in a company or field

30 7.0

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

big fish
  • Informal
29 3.6

An important person in a group or organization who has power

big data
  • Specialized
29 3.7

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

29 2.1

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

27 3.0

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

big deal
  • Informal
25 3.8

An important person who is treated as successful or powerful

24 1.0

The largest toe on the inside of the foot

big tree
  • Specialized
22 3.5

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

An important public message about news or plans

21 2.9

Loud applause from an audience to show strong approval

20 4.2

A person who buys many expensive things to show off

20 5.1

Very expensive and costing a lot of money

20 2.8

Large wild cats like lions or tigers that can roar

Big Bad Wolf
  • Literature
18 3.2

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

18 3.8

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

big pharma
  • Literature
17 5.1

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

big daddy
  • Slang
16 8.1

An important person who makes key decisions for a group

16 2.5

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

14 3.3

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

big lug
  • Informal
12 6.1

A large clumsy person who is kind and liked

11 4.2

Having a naturally large, wide body frame and broad shoulders

11 6.9

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

10 5.1

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

the Big One
  • Informal
10 7.9

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

10 3.8

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

9 3.2

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

big kahuna
  • Slang
8 9.5

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

big board
  • Jargon
8 6.3

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

big brother
  • Literature
7 4.8

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

7 3.5

A large tent used for circus shows

Big Bang theory
  • Specialized
6 4.1

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

6 4.6

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

4 3.0

A person who eats a lot of food

A very rich and powerful person who owns or runs large companies

Big Tech
  • Literature
3 3.2

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

3 3.4

A region in the southwest of Texas shaped by a large bend in the Rio Grande

3 5.6

A baseball player on a top professional team

big science
  • Specialized
3 5.2

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

big wheel
  • Informal
2 5.6

An important person who has a lot of power in a group

Having broad shoulders that make a person look strong

How Boastful

vainglorious
  • Literature
2 9.9
big
  • Informal
6 7.5
bragging
1 3.3
reserved
29 3.7

Surface Forms

big positive
bigger comparative
biggest superlative

Etymology

When big is used as an adverb to mean boastfully, think of 'talking big'—speaking as if you are larger or more important than you are. That is why to speak big is to speak with exaggerated pride.