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major player

major player

34 3.8
A person or company that has a lot of power in a field
  • noun
: actor principal
  • Global Fund is a major player in financing in country activities in AIDS, TB and malaria.
  • become major players
  • emerge as major players
  • major player in trade

Where I met all the major players of the game.

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Examples

  • Minister, this man is a major player in one of the most dangerous and powerful organizations...

  • The United States is now a major player in the Iraqi oil business.

  • The British were major players, of course as well.

  • All the major players are at the table.

  • Historically, Russia has frequently been a major player in the energy game.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In contrast, the private sector grew, with some setbacks, and became a major player in urban employment.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The decade of the 1980s saw community colleges emerge as a major player in employment, training, and literacy programs.

    Academic text (1994)
  • However, China and India have become major players in global trade precisely by pursuing strictly nationalist strategies of development.

    Academic text (2008)
  • And the claim that Zubaydah was a major player was the main justification they gave to the Justice Department for needing to go harder.

  • The game immediately established the Japanese as a major player in the world of video games.

Synonyms

player
vsmajor player
332 1.0

A person who is important and active in a particular area

is specifically about being important and influential rather than mere participation
somebody
vsmajor player
100 2.5

An important person who is well known in a field

is the general term for importance and influence within a field
big name
vsmajor player
91 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

is important without necessarily being widely famous
big shot
vsmajor player
  • Informal
79 3.9

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

is influential in general rather than socially high status
important person
vsmajor player
74 1.8

A person whose actions or words change what happens for many people

is used for influence in a field rather than strong dominance
powerhouse
vsmajor player
58 4.5

A person, team, or organization that is very successful and able to influence others

is notable and influential but not uniformly powerful everywhere
key player
vsmajor player
42 3.2

An important person who helps decide what happens in a group

is influential without necessarily being central to outcomes
biggie
vsmajor player
  • Informal
37 6.8

A very important event, thing, or person that matters a lot

is used for notable things but not necessarily truly influential
kingpin
vsmajor player
  • Literature
34 7.0

The most important person who controls a group or activity

is influential without necessarily controlling the group
big gun
vsmajor player
  • Informal
32 5.1

An important person with power in a company or field

is influential but not necessarily used for critical tasks
big fish
vsmajor player
  • Informal
29 3.6

An important person in a group or organization who has power

is used for importance across a wider field or activity
giant
vsmajor player
26 4.0

A very important and influential person in a field

is important but may not be at the very top of success or size
star player
vsmajor player
26 2.0

A team member who is the best and most important

is used across broader fields not limited to teams
big deal
vsmajor player
  • Informal
25 3.8

An important person who is treated as successful or powerful

is important without the implied vanity or boastful attitude
bigwig
vsmajor player
  • Informal
17 6.9

An important person with power in a company or group

is important and influential but not always tied to rank
big daddy
vsmajor player
  • Slang
16 8.1

An important person who makes key decisions for a group

is important and influential without implying absolute control
heavy hitter
vsmajor player
  • Informal
15 4.9

A person who has a lot of power and influence in a field

is influential but may lack the same forceful impact
key figure
vsmajor player
14 3.8

An important person who plays the main role in a group or event

is important generally rather than specifically central
very important person
vsmajor player
14 2.5

A person with great power or status who gets special treatment

is about influence in a field rather than social status or perks
industry leader
vsmajor player
12 3.7

A company or person most important in a business field

is important in a field but not necessarily the top actor in that sector
big cheese
vsmajor player
  • Slang
10 5.3

A person who is very important in a group or company

is general importance rather than specifically local authority
big kahuna
vsmajor player
  • Slang
8 9.5

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

is used for important figures but not always the top leader
leading light
vsmajor player
3 5.5

A person who is respected and helps shape a group's ideas or work

is influential but not necessarily admired
big wheel
vsmajor player
  • Informal
2 5.6

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

is broader, applying across whole fields rather than one organization
big enchilada
vsmajor player
  • Informal
1 8.6

An important person with power in a group or area

is influential but may not be the top or decisive authority
keyman
vsmajor player
1 6.0

A person who plays a very important role in a team or project

is an important actor without implying operational necessity
colossus in the industry
vsmajor player
1 6.5

A very large company, organization, or person that dominates an industry

is influential in a field without dominating it completely
megalodon
vsmajor player
  • Informal
8.2

A very large and powerful company or group that dominates its field

is influential without implying the extreme dominance suggested informally

Antonyms

4 6.5

A person who has a small role in a film or play

How Important

dominant
6 4.1
major player
34 3.8
key player
42 3.2
player
332 1.0
bit player
4 6.5

Surface Forms

major player singular
major players plural

Morphology

major + player

The meaning is a direct composition of 'major' (important) + 'player' (participant/actor), yielding 'an important participant or actor in a field.' This adj+noun pattern and the metaphorical use of 'player' as an actor in a domain is common and predictable cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.

Etymology

Major player comes from sports: a player takes part in a game and a major one is a big, leading player who helps control what happens. So, calling a person or company a major player means they are 'important' or 'influential' in that area.