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:
After the meeting Mellon told his aides that Coolidge would make “a great president.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Antonin Kinsky: Fumbled first-half corner and not great with his feet.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
Such a gift likely would be a great investment for America’s children.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Yet this week Sloan will release her latest album as a singer-songwriter — and it’s pretty great, with knowing, incisive tunes about her marriage and about the record business.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Torak gazed down at the great ruined beast, and felt a surge of anger.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Where he stands in that list of greats will be shaped by eras and opinions, according to former internationals Paul Robinson and Murphy.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
He wrote essays and conducted oral interviews with UFW greats such as Hartmire and Gilbert Padilla who were essential to the union’s success.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
“The greats aren’t perfect. But they do learn from their mistakes.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
A poetic circle: Wynton followed the greats, and posthumously, they followed him back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
He would not be made a fool of, even by one of the greats.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Haines was a vocal champion for greater climate action, better rural healthcare, and help for struggling small businesses.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
"At a dating event, everyone is single, everyone's ready to mingle, and your chances of having a good conversation are much greater."
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
For example, giving an automatic admission to the top 5% of the students in all of a big city’s high schools or its middle schools could achieve greater racial and ethnic diversity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
During a 2021 interview with Uncut, Love reflected on the message behind the Beach Boys’ song “Don’t Go Near the Water,” which addressed environmental pollution and encouraged greater awareness of humanity’s impact on the planet.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 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
The organisations then plant trees where they can deliver the greatest benefits for wildlife, people and the environment.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
However, positioning the electrodes correctly remains one of the greatest challenges.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
“We saw it in the theater and she was like, ‘That is the greatest movie I’ve ever seen.’”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
How did the greatest team money can buy wind up so flat when the stakes were so high?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
“We are in the midst of one of the greatest social experiments this country has ever seen,” said Eisman.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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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