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.
And Jason, of course, is so wonderful, and we had such a great time doing the scenes because we just would laugh — they’re funny.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Or can Messi's great rival, the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, defy father time by inspiring a talented Portugal team to its maiden World Cup win?
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
“It’s a great partnership and makes Jen very happy,” one insider recently told People magazine.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
SpaceX is among the most widely held investments across colleges and universities, endowment executives say, likely making the rocket company’s coming IPO one of the great windfalls for American endowments.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
It slicked back its ears and tilted its head to one side; it waved its tail and waggled its forepaws, and made great twisting leaps in the air.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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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