# large

/ˈɫɑɹdʒ/ (US) · /lˈɑːdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/large
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. big in size

adjective · CEFR A1

big in size, amount, or number.

For teachers: of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity.

- 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.

### 2. clothing size

noun · CEFR A2

a standard size for clothes or other products that is bigger than medium.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. money

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a slang word for a thousand dollars or pounds.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. sailing

adverb · CEFR C2 · Technical

sailing with the wind blowing from behind or from the side.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- They live in a large house near the park.
- The company reported a large increase in sales after the new product launch.
- Despite the large volume of data collected during the initial phase, the researchers struggled to identify a single consistent variable that explained the outcome.

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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.