# greater

/ˈɡɹeɪtɝ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/greater
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. more great

adjective · CEFR A2

more than something else in size, amount, or importance.

For teachers: the comparative form of 'great', indicating a superior degree of magnitude, intensity, or significance relative to another entity.

- The risk of failure was greater than we first thought.
- The environmental impact of the new factory proved to be significantly greater than the initial projections had suggested.

Usage: Usually followed by 'than' when comparing two things.

### 2. city and suburbs

adjective · CEFR B1

used with the name of a city to include the city itself and the smaller towns around it.

For teachers: used attributively in geographical nomenclature to denote a metropolitan area comprising a central city and its surrounding suburbs or satellite towns.

- Many people who work in the city center live in Greater London.
- The transport strategy aims to improve connectivity across Greater Manchester, focusing on the outer boroughs rather than just the urban core.

Usage: Always placed immediately before the name of the city or region.

Teaching tip: Explain to students that this is a specific administrative or geographical term, not just a way to say the city is 'big'.

## Examples

- The need for clean water is greater than ever.
- Commuters from Greater London often spend over an hour traveling to the city center for work.
- The environmental impact of the new factory was significantly greater than the initial reports had suggested, leading to a full suspension of operations.

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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.