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.
Podcasting can be a great business if you’re good at it, but I’m not sure anyone has ever been this adept at milking shareholder value out of a pair of mics.
From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026
“To move from the center of Los Angeles in the city to one of five suburbs that had great public schools, I was nervous,” recalls Farr.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
“With great respect to those two players, I hadn’t thought about it,” said Justin Rose, who lost to Rory McIlroy in a Masters playoff last year.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
"His eye for a player was amazing, and that was his great strength," added Curtis.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
It was as if a great, overarching wave had been frozen by one touch of the World Spirit’s finger.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
