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.
See Examples For:
Regarding the loss to Argentina, Tuchel insists the disappointment is great, but the damage is not terminal.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
"When we talked to some of these Chinese people afterwards, and they were so excited, some of them had not experienced anything like it, it was a great privilege."
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
They were ancient Italy’s first great engineers, ambitious road-builders who drained land for development and showed the Romans how to build their famous aqueducts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
As an avid fan of the Angels going back 41 years to my arrival in Anaheim, I watched this year’s All-Star Game with great frustration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
The Board of Education set great store by her.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Yet the lasting images from both tournaments are of all-time greats such as Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi dancing on the field.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
That allowed him to coach at a World Cup and European Championship, while also working with global greats including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin de Bruyne.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
But in Sunday's showpiece, Sinner once again demonstrated the unshakeable resilience that has taken him to a landmark fifth major - and will go on to establish him among the greats.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
While much of the source material comes from elsewhere, the cumulative mood is extremely personal to an artist who has spent his life helping the greats find true expression.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
Then she poked his belly with so many greats, Frank rolled onto the floor to escape the tickling.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
A greater national investment in mental health care might even lighten his own load, he conceded.
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
Few institutions have greater influence over those values than soccer.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
Burnham will be able to pick up these proposals, although they might come with an up-front cost attached if they involve greater investment in training opportunities or guaranteed work placements.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
That additional phosphate encouraged more marine growth, which led to greater burial of organic carbon on the seafloor.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026
In the year that had passed, not much had changed, except that the building had fallen into even greater ruin.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
“I think a bereaved parent’s greatest fear is that their child will be forgotten,” she said.
From Slate ● Jul. 19, 2026
The defining moment for arguably the game's greatest ever player.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
When Spain and Argentina take the field this weekend in front of a billion people, the World Cup will go to the best team in Europe or the greatest player in history.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Unified’s already adopted plan calls for more than 6,000 job reductions, slashing up to $500 million per year in extra services for schools with the greatest needs and seven unpaid furlough days for each worker.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
The Taylor family called her “the greatest medium, the one whose faculties for transmission were the purest …” and through Kate, stayed in touch with dead family members for more than twenty-two years.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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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