great
Usage
What are other ways to say great?
In reference to the size and extent of concrete objects, great is highly formal and even poetic, suggesting also that the object is notable or imposing, large is only somewhat formal, and big is the most general and most colloquial word: a great oak; a large tree; a big tree; great plains; a large field; a big field. When the reference is to degree or a quality, great is the usual word: great beauty; great mistake; great surprise; although big sometimes alternates with it in colloquial style: a big mistake; a big surprise; large is usually not used in reference to degree, but may be used in a quantitative reference: a large number (great number).
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
U.S. men’s soccer player Weston McKennie takes part in a training session at Orange County Great Park.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Great recovery from his practice crash on Friday and managed his engine issues well.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
Our malaise wasn’t helped by the White House’s announced concert lineup at the Great American State Fair, scheduled to run in Washington, D.C., from June 25 to July 10.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
Recessions such as the Great Depression aren’t punishment for the excess of the Roaring ’20s, but interruptions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
“But who knows, my grandmother never let me listen to any of those stories for some reason. Anyway, what was that Great War thing you mentioned?”
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Vocabulary lists containing great
Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 5
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