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:
Graham Jr. and Jeffrey, my two older brothers, and I got along great.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
“I shepherded it for 18 years, and we had a great run. We had a lot of fun with the place, and served a lot of dips and a lot of drinks.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
"By removing barriers to entry, we can help create the conditions for brilliant British businesses with great ideas to develop new products and services," she said.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
This is another place where a behavior gap has become apparent: There are a great many more workplaces that offer advice to their employees, but very little uptake of that advice.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026
Through the years he took his stopped watches to “the One who set the atoms dancing,” or “who keeps the great currents circling through the sea.”
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
With a challenging decision potentially looming, BBC Sport takes a look at how close one of the sport's greats is to leaving the game forever.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
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
But concern is the prevailing mood among the culinary greats gathered in Mexico.
From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026
“When I beat him, I’ll be one of the greats in this division, and then the next challenger will come and try to take the belt from me,” Van said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 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
The familiar cone has historically placed greater emphasis on coastal regions, even though dangerous storm conditions can extend far from the shoreline.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026
Haines was a vocal champion for greater climate action, better rural healthcare, and help for struggling small businesses.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
War in Ukraine, war in the Persian Gulf, growing stress in the American alliance system, greater cohesion among America’s opponents, social unease about artificial intelligence: 2026 won’t go down in history as a calm year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
Moore said things were improving, with greater availability of early intervention in the community, reducing the need for detox.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
This caused hot ash to roll down the mountain, covering an even greater expanse of land than the first blast.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
And the superteam springing up to challenge the Knicks’ supremacy exists only because the greatest player of his generation is willing to play on the cheap.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Areas shown in yellow had the greatest impact on predictions.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
“It’s ‘Dedication Night’ and we are dancing a Viennese waltz to ‘Unchained Melody’ by the Righteous Brothers, the greatest, most romantic song ever.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
There is no shortage of potential big fights, but bringing the champions together before mandatory obligations, rematches and boxing politics get in the way could prove the greatest challenge.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
The robot’s greatest fear was deep water, and now she was paddling through the waves and out to sea.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
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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