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:
Liverpool is a great club, and I wish him the best.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
"A great many buildings" in the city sustained damage, said administrative worker Jaime Zuluaga, 50.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
“There were high expectations. We approached it with a great sense of responsibility and humility.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Lin’s great uncle was imprisoned during the regime of Kuomintang repression known as the White Terror.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
The auroch lay on his side like a great brown boulder.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
The funeral service was held at Sant'Ambrogio Basilica and club greats including Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Costacurta were in attendance.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
"That's why you have some of the greats in women's sports. If Title IX and women's sports weren't protected, then you wouldn't hear about any type of women in sport."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
After moving to Los Angeles, he became a favorite live and session player for many midcentury greats, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Marvin Gaye.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
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
I he on the couch and just listen to the greatest of the greats jam on vinyl.
From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz
It is no surprise that O'Neil is also seeking greater cutting edge given that no Ipswich player scored more than 10 non-penalty goals in the Championship last season.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
He is trying to help his younger brothers study in Italy, but said they face even greater challenges than he did.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
With the adoption of artificial intelligence promising—or threatening—to return ever greater rewards to a diminishing number of those best placed to exploit it, the trends will intensify.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
With less of a coastal buffer, any large waves that come in “will have even greater impact on the shoreline, with more likelihood of flooding and undercutting of cliffs,” he added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
The losses were much greater than they should have been, given the ratings of the bonds they underpinned, but the losses did not change a great deal from one month to the next.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Although GameStop has closed stores over recent months, Feger said its bricks-and-mortar presence would hold the greatest appeal to eBay.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
"The psychological injuries really had the greatest burden upon us."
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Serving as a means for others to learn about El Salvador and ensuring that representation is dignified is one of my greatest responsibilities.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Emanuel, Mr. Brunt writes, headed “the greatest industrial empire in Russia, perhaps in all Europe.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
“I know she’s alive. And I know it’s her greatest wish that you stay that way too.”
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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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