adj., big·ger, big·gest.
- Of considerable size, number, quantity, magnitude, or extent; large. See synonyms at large.
- Of great force; strong: a big wind; in a big rage.
- Obsolete. Of great strength.
- Mature or grown-up: big enough to take the bus by herself.
- Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling: My big brother is leaving for college next week.
- Pregnant: big with child.
- Filled up; brimming over: felt big with love.
- Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence: a big official; a big chief.
- Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent: a big figure in the peace movement.
- Of great significance; momentous: a big decision; a big victory.
- Informal. Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular: "For public opinion . . . has grown harsh and yuppie-bashing is big" (Sally Jacobs).
- Informal. Self-important; cocky: You're too big for your own good.
- Loud and firm; resounding: a big voice.
- Bountiful; generous: had a big heart.
- In a pretentious or boastful way: talked big about the new job.
- Informal.
- With considerable success: made it big with their recent best-selling album.
- In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically: failed big at the box office.
big on
- Enthusiastic about; partial to: "The Japanese are big on ranking things and deciding which is Number One" (James Fallows).
[Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin.]
biggish big'gish adj.bigly big'ly adv.
bigness big'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
