Main Entry: 1big
Pronunciation: 'big
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): big·ger; big·gest
Etymology: Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect bugge important man
Date: 14th century
1 a obsolete : of great strength b : of great force <a big storm>
2 a : large or great in dimensions, bulk, or extent <a big house>; also : large or great in quantity, number, or amount <a big fleet> b : operating on a large scale <big government> c : CAPITAL 1
3 a : PREGNANT; especially : nearly ready to give birth b : full to bursting : SWELLING <big with rage> c of the voice : full and resonant
4 a : CHIEF, PREEMINENT <the big issue of the campaign> b : outstandingly worthy or able <a truly big man> c : of great importance or significance <the big moment> d : IMPOSING, PRETENTIOUS; also : marked by or given to boasting <big talk> e : MAGNANIMOUS, GENEROUS <was big about it>
5 : POPULAR <soft drinks are very big in Mexico -- Russ Leadabrand>
6 : full-bodied and flavorful -- used of wine
- big·ly adverb
- big·ness noun
- big on : strongly favoring or liking also : noted for <she is big on blushing -- Arnold Hano>
Entry Word: big
Function: adjective
Text: 1 of significant size or scope <a big expanse of mud> <big plans>
Synonyms considerable, extensive, hefty, large, large-scale, major, sizable
Related Word bumper, hulking, whacking, whopping; clumsy, unwieldy; ample, biggish, capacious, commodious, comprehensive, copious, roomy, spacious, voluminous; distended, inflated, swollen
Contrasted Words paltry, piddling, trivial; slight, small; insignificant; minute, tiny, wee
Antonyms little
2
Synonyms LARGE 1, bull, fat, great, husky, oversize
3
Synonyms PREGNANT 1, childing, enceinte, expectant, expecting, gone, gravid, heavy, parous, parturient
4
Synonyms FULL 1, awash, brimful, brimming, chock-full, crammed, crowded, packed, replete, stuffed
Related Word flushed, overflowing; cloyed, glutted, sated, satiated, satisfied
Idioms full to bursting (or overflowing), full to the ears, stuffed to the gills
Contrasted Words empty
5
Synonyms IMPORTANT 1, consequential, considerable, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, weighty
6
Synonyms PRETENTIOUS 3, arty, arty-crafty, high-sounding, imposing, overblown
7
Synonyms GENEROUS 1, benevolent, chivalrous, considerate, greathearted, lofty, magnanimous |
