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big

[big] / bɪg /






Usage

What are other ways to say big? In reference to the size and extent of concrete objects, big is the most general and most colloquial word, large is somewhat more formal, and great is highly formal and even poetic, suggesting also that the object is notable or imposing: a big tree; a large tree; a great oak; a big field; a large field; great plains. 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.

See Examples For:

He says I made a big decision alone and now I’m expecting him to go along with another one.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

The shift, while aimed at damping big annual revisions, might have intensified month-to-month swings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Every parent will have to navigate those feelings in big and small ways.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

However, it is worth noting that the sell-off in tech stocks in particular came after big rises, so long-term investors are still likely to have seen gains.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

There was a big thanksgiving service in the church, and at the end of it, Sancho was given the keys to the town in a most ridiculous ceremony.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

A rebound in car production gave German factory output a bigger boost than expected in September, official data showed Friday, the latest sign Europe's largest economy was gaining strength.

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026

And sometimes there isn’t much choice, say, when you have to relocate for work or buy a bigger home for a growing family.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

“Hopelessness can be fatal for a city,” she told an adoring crowd that kept getting bigger and bigger until security closed off the entrances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

One member voted for a bigger increase, to 4.25%.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Now, just planting his feet on the ground, Danny’s world felt bigger.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

The 10 biggest companies in the index account for 6.7% of the index by weight — $670 out of the hypothetical $10,000 mentioned above.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

Eurozone retail sales volumes fell 0.7% in September, marking the biggest decline since June 2024, according to Eurostat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Over time, however, some of the biggest PBMs were acquired by drug companies, creating conflicts of interest that led to federal orders for divestment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

It backed an advertising campaign to encourage people to invest, funded by some of the UK's biggest financial services firms.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

“Anyways,” he went on as though he wasn’t the biggest creep on the planet, “I just wanted you to know so you wouldn’t miss me.”

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

I've suddenly got the fear we've bigged this up too much.

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2024

“This agreement has been bigged up as something that will be a solution to the world’s food shortage, and it is just not,” said Tracey Allen, an agricultural commodities strategist at JPMorgan Chase.

From New York Times ● Aug. 1, 2022

This album has been bigged up by professional critics over the age of 50, but they are all closet fans.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 24, 2020

Brendan was never as good as people bigged him up to me.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2015

He has bigged a bower beside the thorn,   He has fenced it up wi' stane, And there within the Elmond wood,   They twa has dwelt their lane.

From Ballad Book by Katherine Lee Bates

Newey effectively worked only three days a week, Horner would say, bigging up the roles of Wache and the technical leadership team around him, especially head of aerodynamics Enrico Balbo.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2025

That said, this England group is always bigging each other up so it is hard to know.

From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2025

Another massive performance and others aside from Sinfield might be bigging him up.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 19, 2023

GP I really don’t want it to sound like I’m bigging myself up.

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2021

"About this bit bourock, your honour," answered the undaunted Edie; "I mind the bigging o't."

From The Antiquary — Volume 01 by Sir Walter Scott


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