big
adjective
UK/bɪɡ/US/bɪɡ/
Of considerable size, extent, or intensity; large in scale.
Example Sentences
That is a big house with ten bedrooms and a spacious backyard.
His promotion was a big step forward in his career.
I need a big box to store all these old books.
She's always dreamed of moving to a big city full of cultural events.
Despite living in a big family, she managed to find time to practice piano every day.
He has a big personality and makes friends wherever he goes.
After months of hard work, the company made a big breakthrough, landing a contract with a major international client and expanding its market reach significantly.
The charity event turned out to be a big success, gathering hundreds of volunteers and raising an impressive amount of funds for the local community.
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adverb
UK/bɪɡ/US/bɪɡ/
In a significant or grand manner (informal usage); to a great extent.
Example Sentences
He won big at the casino last night.
They are playing big by investing all their savings in that startup.
If you dream big, you can achieve remarkable things.
She loves to give gifts big whenever she has the chance.
The new policy could impact the market big if investors react positively.
He went big with his performance, captivating the entire audience.
The local sports team scored big this season, surpassing all expectations and dominating their league with a string of decisive victories.
You need to think big if you want to expand your business, considering innovative strategies and global opportunities to stay ahead of the competition.
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How to Use
Denotes something large or of great importance, physically or metaphorically.This adjective typically describes something substantial in size, impact, or importance. You can use it to highlight physical dimensions (“That house is quite big”) or to emphasize personal significance (“Landing that new job was a big milestone”). Whether applied to an object, event, or abstract concept, it underscores the idea that something surpasses the ordinary in magnitude or importance. In academic or professional writing, you might select more specific or formal words, yet “big” remains valuable for succinctness and clarity. When positioning it within a sentence, ensure it modifies the correct noun to avoid confusion (e.g., “She adopted a big dog,” not “She big adopted a dog”). In conversation or informal writing, it smoothly conveys an impactful sense without excessive elaboration. By pairing it with additional descriptive details, you can clarify whether you mean physical size (“The big oak tree”) or figurative impact (“A big moment in his career”).
Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives, consider synonyms like “large,” “huge,” “enormous,” or “massive.” “Large” generally indicates a size greater than average but doesn’t necessarily imply extremes. “Huge” suggests even greater proportions, while “enormous” leans toward describing something astonishingly large. “Massive” carries a sense of weight and bulk, often conveying both size and solidity. If you need a word with more nuance for professional or creative contexts, “substantial” and “considerable” can indicate both size and importance without sounding overly casual. “Grand” may capture a sense of grandeur or formality, and “vast” often fits expansive spaces or wide-ranging topics. Choosing the right word depends on context: you might prefer “grand achievement” in a celebratory piece, whereas “vast expanse” suits descriptions of landscapes. By matching your choice to the tone and context, you’ll communicate the scale or significance more precisely and effectively.
Writing
In writing, using this adjective helps you quickly convey size or importance without overcomplicating your sentences. It can be especially helpful in narrative passages where you want to highlight a key event or object, such as referencing a “big decision” that changes the protagonist’s course of action. However, overreliance on this term can make your prose feel repetitive or vague, so balance it with more vivid descriptions or precise measurements. When crafting more formal or academic text, consider whether a more specific term could enrich your argument—quantitative details, for example, might be more persuasive. Yet, for creative storytelling, “big” can heighten the mood or drama in a scene, drawing attention to critical moments or expansive settings. Keep in mind that clarity remains essential; including context for why something is significant—whether it’s physically imposing or symbolically meaningful—will help your reader fully grasp its impact. Strategic use of this adjective helps maintain readability while emphasizing pivotal points in your writing.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day conversation, this adjective offers a straightforward way to emphasize notable size or importance. You might say, “That’s a big slice of pizza,” to highlight a generous portion, or “I have a big exam tomorrow,” to stress personal significance or nervousness. It keeps things simple and gets your point across without sounding overly formal. Whether you’re chatting about a significant event (“Getting my driver’s license was a big deal for me!”) or physical characteristics (“I didn’t realize the park was so big!”), this term conveys a sense of something that stands out. If you want to add flair, pair it with expressive adverbs: “That’s such a really big opportunity!” For most casual contexts, a short, clear description is best, and “big” offers a direct approach that almost anyone can relate to. Just keep in mind that variety in conversation can be engaging, so consider throwing in more specific adjectives when appropriate—like “huge,” “giant,” or “massive”—to spice things up.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English “bygge,” this adjective has uncertain origins, though it may trace further back through Old Norse influences. Early usage suggests a sense of power or strength, and over centuries, it has come to signify physical size as well as metaphorical importance. Historically, it served as a straightforward descriptor of prominence, whether referencing influential figures or large objects. As English evolved, the word maintained its broad applicability, allowing speakers and writers alike to characterize objects, experiences, or moments that stand out by virtue of their magnitude or significance. Its accessibility and adaptability explain why it remains a go-to option in both formal and informal contexts, from describing towering mountains to celebrating life’s pivotal achievements. Over time, it has transcended strict boundaries, melding into idiomatic phrases like “think big,” embodying not just scale, but also ambition and aspiration.
