- big
- [[t]bɪ̱g[/t]]
♦bigger, biggest1) ADJ-GRADED A big person or thing is large in physical size.
Australia's a big country...
Her husband was a big man...
The car was too big to fit into our garage.
Syn:Ant:2) ADJ-GRADED Something that is big consists of many people or things.The crowd included a big contingent from Ipswich.
...the big backlog of applications.
Syn:Ant:3) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something such as a problem, increase, or change as a big one, you mean it is great in degree, extent, or importance.Her problem was just too big for her to tackle on her own...
There could soon be a big increase in unemployment.
Syn:Ant:4) ADJ-GRADED A big organization employs many people and has many customers.Exchange is largely controlled by big banks.
...one of the biggest companies in Italy.
Syn:Ant:5) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n, v-link ADJ in n If you say that someone is big in a particular organization, activity, or place, you mean that they have a lot of influence or authority in it. [INFORMAL]Their father was very big in the army...
I'm sure all the big names will come to the club.
6) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) If you call someone a big bully or a big coward, you are emphasizing your disapproval of them. [INFORMAL]7) ADJ: ADJ n Children often refer to their older brother or sister as their big brother or sister.8) ADJ: ADJ n Capital letters are sometimes referred to as big letters. [INFORMAL]...a big letter J.
Syn:9) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Big words are long or rare words which have meanings that are difficult to understand. [INFORMAL]They use a lot of big words.
10) PHRASE: V inflects If you make it big, you become successful or famous. [INFORMAL]We're not just looking at making it big in the UK, we want to be big internationally.
11) PHRASE: V inflects If you think big, you make plans on a large scale, often using a lot of time, effort, or money.Maybe we're not thinking big enough.
12) PHRASE: PHR after v If something is happening in a big way, it is happening on a large scale. [INFORMAL]I think boxing will take off in a big way here.
English dictionary. 2008.
