# big

/ˈbɪɡ/ (US) · /bˈɪɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/big
Updated: 2026-04-30

## Senses

### 1. large size

adjective · CEFR A1

having a large size or being very heavy.

For teachers: of considerable size, extent, or intensity. Usually gradable.

- They live in a big house with five bedrooms and a garden.
- The developers proposed a big expansion of the shopping centre, despite local concerns regarding increased traffic congestion.

### 2. important

adjective · CEFR A2

important or powerful.

For teachers: significant, influential, or prominent within a particular context.

- This is a big decision that will change your whole life.
- Securing the contract with the national health service was a big win for the startup, ensuring their financial stability for the next decade.

### 3. older

adjective · CEFR A2 · Informal

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

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

- You are a big girl now, so you can tie your own shoes.
- The teacher encouraged the big kids to help the toddlers during the joint playground session.

### 4. popular

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

very popular or successful.

For teachers: highly successful or widely popular in a specific market or culture.

- K-pop is really big in Europe right now.
- The brand became big in the mid-nineties after several high-profile celebrities were spotted wearing their signature denim jackets.

### 5. enthusiastic

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

liking something very much.

For teachers: demonstrating strong interest or enthusiasm for a particular activity or subject.

- My brother is a big fan of old jazz music.
- 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'.

### 6. sinister influence

adjective · CEFR C1 · Humorous · Informal

used to describe large companies that have too much power.

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

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

### 7. on a large scale

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

in a way that is large or successful.

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

- If you want to succeed in business, you have to think big.
- The venture capitalist advised the founders to dream big but maintain a rigorous focus on their immediate quarterly targets.

### 8. important person

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang

an important or powerful person in a group.

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

- He's one of the bigs in the advertising world.
- After years in the minor leagues, the pitcher finally got the call to join the bigs in New York.

Teaching tip: Often used in the phrase 'the bigs' to refer to the major leagues in sports.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.