large
- 01 A1 Beginner
adj.big in size, amount, or number.
adj.of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity.
Simple“They live in a large house with five bedrooms and a big garden.”
In context“The company reported a large increase in profits following the successful launch of their international marketing campaign.”
PitfallHe is a large man. He is a tall man.Use 'large' for overall size or width, but use 'tall' when specifically talking about a person's height.
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.a standard size for clothes or other products that is bigger than medium.
n.a standardized manufactured size for garments or consumer goods, typically positioned between medium and extra-large.
Simple“This shirt is too small for me; I think I need a large.”
In context“The retailer noted that the large was their best-selling size for this particular jacket model across all European markets.”
UsageOften used as a countable noun when referring to the garment itself.
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a slang word for a thousand dollars or pounds.
n.a slang term representing one thousand units of currency, such as dollars or pounds.
Simple“He sold his old car for five large.”
In context“The informant claimed that the briefcase contained fifty large in unmarked bills, though the police found no evidence of the transaction.”
UsageUsually remains singular even when referring to multiple thousands.
Teacher's tipThis is very informal and often associated with crime films or gambling contexts.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
adv.sailing with the wind blowing from behind or from the side.
adv.describing a vessel sailing with the wind on the quarter or abaft the beam.
Simple“The ship was sailing large as it headed toward the coast.”
In context“With the wind freshening from the northeast, the schooner was able to sail large, making excellent time toward the harbor.”
UsageUsed primarily in the phrase 'to sail large'.
Teacher's tipThis is a highly specialized term that most modern learners will only encounter in historical literature or maritime contexts.
Usage large amounts · large language · large number
From Middle English large, from Old French large, from Latin larga, feminine of largus (“abundant, plentiful, copious, large, much”), of uncertain ultimate origin; see there for more. Along with big, it mostly displaced Middle English stoor and muchel (the latter surviving in much under a different meaning).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.