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big

US //ˈbɪɡ// UK //bˈɪɡ// big
  1. 1 large size (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    having a large size or being very heavy.

    of considerable size, extent, or intensity. Usually gradable.

    Example

    They live in a big house with five bedrooms and a garden.

    Example

    The developers proposed a big expansion of the shopping centre, despite local concerns regarding increased traffic congestion.
    Pitfall
    I have a big brother.
    I have an older brother.

    While 'big brother' is common, use 'older' to talk specifically about age rather than physical size.

  2. 2 important (adj.)
    A2 Elementary Business

    important or powerful.

    significant, influential, or prominent within a particular context.

    Example

    This is a big decision that will change your whole life.

    Example

    Securing the contract with the national health service was a big win for the startup, ensuring their financial stability for the next decade.
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  1. 3 older (adj.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    older or more adult, often used when talking to children.

    denoting an older sibling or a child who has reached a certain level of maturity.

    Example

    You are a big girl now, so you can tie your own shoes.

    Example

    The teacher encouraged the big kids to help the toddlers during the joint playground session.
  2. 4 popular (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    very popular or successful.

    highly successful or widely popular in a specific market or culture.

    Example

    K-pop is really big in Europe right now.

    Example

    The brand became big in the mid-nineties after several high-profile celebrities were spotted wearing their signature denim jackets.
  3. 5 enthusiastic (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    liking something very much.

    demonstrating strong interest or enthusiasm for a particular activity or subject.

    Example

    My brother is a big fan of old jazz music.

    Example

    Although she isn't big on team sports, she spends several hours every morning training for long-distance marathons.

    Usage

    Usually followed by the preposition 'on'.
  4. 6 sinister influence (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Humorous Informal Business

    used to describe large companies that have too much power.

    referring to large-scale corporate or industrial interests, often implying a cynical or manipulative influence.

    Example

    Some people are worried about the power of Big Tech companies.

    Example

    The documentary investigates how Big Oil lobbied against environmental regulations throughout the late twentieth century.

    Usage

    Usually capitalized and placed before a noun like 'Pharma', 'Tech', or 'Oil'.

  5. 7 on a large scale (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    in a way that is large or successful.

    to a great extent or on a large scale; often used with verbs like 'think' or 'win'.

    Example

    If you want to succeed in business, you have to think big.

    Example

    The venture capitalist advised the founders to dream big but maintain a rigorous focus on their immediate quarterly targets.
  6. 8 important person (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang

    an important or powerful person in a group.

    an individual of importance, power, or influence within a specific hierarchy.

    Example

    He's one of the bigs in the advertising world.

    Example

    After years in the minor leagues, the pitcher finally got the call to join the bigs in New York.

    Teacher's tip

    Often used in the phrase 'the bigs' to refer to the major leagues in sports.
Etymology 1

Inherited from Northern Middle English big, bigge (“powerful, strong”), possibly from a dialect of Old Norse. Ultimately perhaps a derivative of Proto-Germanic bugja- (“swollen up, thick”), from Proto-Indo-European bʰew-, *bu- (“to swell”), in which case big would be related to bogey, bugbear, and bug. Compare dialectal Norwegian bugge (“great man”), Low German Bögge, Boggelmann.

Etymology 2

From Middle English biggen, byggen, from Old Norse byggja, byggva (“to build, dwell in, inhabit”), a secondary form of Old Norse búa (“to dwell”), related to Old English būan (“to dwell”). Cognate with Danish bygge, Swedish bygga.

Etymology 3

From Middle English byge, from Old Norse bygg (“barley, probably Hordeum vulgare, common barley”), from Proto-Germanic *bewwuz (“crop, barley”). Cognate with Old English bēow (“barley”).

Idioms46 entries

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