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.
It also happens to be one of the great budget desserts; the kind that quietly rewards the cook who knows how to stretch, repurpose and revive.
From Salon • May 25, 2026
But that great memory also carries some drawbacks.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
US President Donald Trump said Monday that a deal with Tehran would either be "great and meaningful" or there would be "no deal" at all.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
Our harmonic tendencies were nowhere near as complex, but they were rapidly becoming more sophisticated thanks to our exposure to such great improvisers as Miles!
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
“Yesterday we had a situation at the teatime fashion parade. One of our models arrived late and thus caused a great disruption in the presentation.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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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