Definitions
01big in size
A1 · Beginner
adj. big in size, amount, or number.
adj. of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity.
日本語:大きい※
“They live in a large house with five bedrooms and a big garden.”
“The company reported a large increase in profits following the successful launch of their international marketing campaign.”
Pitfall
He 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.
02clothing size
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
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.
“This shirt is too small for me; I think I need a large.”
“The retailer noted that the large was their best-selling size for this particular jacket model across all European markets.”
Usage
Often used as a countable noun when referring to the garment itself.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03money
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Slang · Informal
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.
“He sold his old car for five large.”
“The informant claimed that the briefcase contained fifty large in unmarked bills, though the police found no evidence of the transaction.”
Usage
Usually remains singular even when referring to multiple thousands.
Teaching tip
This is very informal and often associated with crime films or gambling contexts.
04sailing
C2 · Proficiency Nautical Technical
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.
“The ship was sailing large as it headed toward the coast.”
“With the wind freshening from the northeast, the schooner was able to sail large, making excellent time toward the harbor.”
Usage
Used primarily in the phrase 'to sail large'.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized term that most modern learners will only encounter in historical literature or maritime contexts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “large” in context.
Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/large
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0