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.
“Obviously the wind kind of hung it up there, but I thought it was a great pass.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
Successive administrations also went to great lengths to secure the release of detained Americans, at times through controversial means.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
“You have to develop a great reputation and put in the 10,000 hours before you actually get good at this.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026
This is a great fan base, to me much more frustrated than angry, waiting to erupt in joy.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
We had known, of course, that when overcrowding reached a certain point, the sickest were taken to the brick building at the foot of the great square smokestack.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
