big
Looking for the meaning of big? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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Someone or something that is large in stature
An important or powerful person; a celebrity; a big name.
(as plural) The big leagues, big time.
(BDSM) The participant in ageplay who acts out the older role.
To praise, recommend, or promote.
Of great size, large.
“Elephants are big animals, and they eat a lot.”
(of an industry or other field, often capitalized) Thought to have undue influence.
“Big Tech”
Popular.
“That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.”
Adult.
“Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen.”
Fat.
“Gosh, she is big!”
Important or significant.
“What's so big about that? I do it all the time.”
(with on) Enthusiastic (about).
“I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you.”
Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.
“I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself.”
Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.
“Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty.”
(sometimes figurative) Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
“She was big with child.”
Used as an intensifier, especially of negative-valence nouns
“You are a big liar. Why are you in such a big hurry?”
(of a city) populous
(of somebody's age) old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
In a loud manner.
In a boasting manner.
“He's always talking big, but he never delivers.”
In a large amount or to a large extent.
“He won big betting on the croquet championship.”
On a large scale, expansively.
“You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.”
Hard.
“He hit him big and the guy just crumpled.”
Understanding "big"
The word **"big"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/bɪɡ/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"big"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "big" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "big" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "big" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /bɪɡ/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "big" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "big" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "big" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "big". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/bɪɡ/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "big" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use big in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "big" can be used in academic and casual conversations.