big
♦♦♦ big /b'ɪg/ (bigger biggest)
1 [ADJ]
A big person or thing is large in physical size.
Australia's a big country...
Her husband was a big man...
The car was too big to fit into our garage.
= large
≠ small
2 [ADJ]
Something that is big consists of many people or things.
The crowd included a big contingent from Ipswich.
...the big backlog of applications.
= large
≠ small
3 [ADJ]
If you describe something such as a problem, increase, or change as a big one, you mean it is great in degree, extent, or importance.
Her problem was just too big for her to tackle on her own...
There could soon be a big increase in unemployment.
= serious
≠ small
4 [ADJ]
A big organization employs many people and has many customers.
Exchange is largely controlled by big banks.
...one of the biggest companies in Italy.
= large
≠ small
5 [ADJ] ADJ n, v-link ADJ in n
If you say that someone is big in a particular organization, activity, or place, you mean that they have a lot of influence or authority in it. (INFORMAL)
Their father was very big in the army...
I'm sure all the big names will come to the club.
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you call someone a big bully or a big coward, you are emphasizing your disapproval of them. (INFORMAL)
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
Children often refer to their older brother or sister as their big brother or sister.
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
Capital letters are sometimes referred to as big letters. (INFORMAL)
...a big letter J.
= capital
9 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Big words are long or rare words which have meanings that are difficult to understand. (INFORMAL)
They use a lot of big words.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make it big, you become successful or famous. (INFORMAL)
We're not just looking at making it big in the UK, we want to be big internationally.
11 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you think big, you make plans on a large scale, often using a lot of time, effort, or money.
Maybe we're not thinking big enough.
12 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If something is happening in a big way, it is happening on a large scale. (INFORMAL)
I think boxing will take off in a big way here.big band (big bands)
[N-COUNT]
A big band is a large group of musicians who play jazz or dance music. Big bands were especially popular from the 1930s to the 1950s.big busi|ness
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Big business is business which involves very large companies and very large sums of money.
Big business will never let petty nationalism get in the way of a good deal.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Something that is big business is something which people spend a lot of money on, and which has become an important commercial activity.
Sport has become big business.big cat (big cats)
[N-COUNT]
Big cats are lions, tigers, and other large wild animals in the cat family.big city
[N-SING] the N
The big city is used to refer to a large city which seems attractive to someone because they think there are many exciting things to do there, and many opportunities to earn a lot of money.
...a country girl who dreams of the big city and bright lights.big deal
1 [N-SING]
If you say that something is a big deal, you mean that it is important or significant in some way. (INFORMAL)
I felt the pressure on me, winning was such a big deal for the whole family...
It's no big deal.
2 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR out of/of/about n
If someone makes a big deal out of something, they make a fuss about it or treat it as if it were very important. (INFORMAL)
The Joneses make a big deal out of being `different'.
3 [CONVENTION]
You can say `big deal' to someone to show that you are not impressed by something that they consider important or impressive. (INFORMAL)
`You'll miss The Brady Bunch.'--`Big deal.'big dip|per (big dippers)
[N-COUNT]
A big dipper is a fairground ride that carries people up and down steep slopes on a narrow railway at high speed. (BRIT)
= roller coasterbig fish (big fish)
1 [N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a big fish, you believe that they are powerful or important in some way. (INFORMAL)
The four men arrested were described as really big fish by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
≠ small fry
2 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that someone is a big fish in a small pond, you mean that they are powerful or important but only within a small group of people. (INFORMAL)
In South Africa, Jani was a big fish in a small pond.big game
[N-UNCOUNT]
Large wild animals such as lions and elephants that are hunted for sport are often referred to as big game.big gun (big guns)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to someone as a big gun, you mean that they have a lot of power or influence. (INFORMAL)
...the legal big guns who will prepare his defence.big head (big heads)
[N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a big head, you disapprove of them because they think they are very clever and know everything. (INFORMAL)
= know-allbig hit|ter (big hitters)
also big-hitter
1 [N-COUNT]
A big hitter is a sportsperson such as a golfer or tennis player who hits the ball with a lot of force.
The Uruguayan-born big-hitter smashed 28 aces.
2 [N-COUNT]
A big hitter is a powerful or influential person, especially in business or politics. (INFORMAL)
...if Tony Blair fails to persuade a Cabinet big hitter to take on the job.big mon|ey
[N-UNCOUNT]
Big money is an amount of money that seems very large to you, especially money which you get easily.
They began to make big money during the war.big mouth (big mouths)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a big mouth or that they have a big mouth, you mean that they tell other people things that should have been kept secret. (INFORMAL)
Why don't you shut your big mouth?big name (big names)
[N-COUNT]
A big name is a person who is successful and famous because of their work.
...all the big names in rock and pop.big noise (big noises)
[N-COUNT]
Someone who is a big noise has an important position in a group or organization. (BRIT INFORMAL)
= big shotbig screen
[N-SING] the N
When people talk about the big screen, they are referring to films that are made for cinema rather than for television.
She returns to the big screen to play Candy's overbearing mother, Rose.
≠ small screenbig shot (big shots)
[N-COUNT]
A big shot is an important and powerful person in a group or organization. (INFORMAL)
He's a big shot in Chilean politics.big time
also big-time
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You can use big time to refer to the highest level of an activity or sport where you can achieve the greatest amount of success or importance. If you describe a person as big time, you mean they are successful and important. (INFORMAL)
He took a long time to settle in to big-time football.
...a big-time investment banker.
2 [N-SING] the N
If someone hits the big time, they become famous or successful in a particular area of activity. (INFORMAL)
He hit the big time with films such as Ghost and Dirty Dancing.
3 [ADV] ADV after v
You can use big time if you want to emphasize the importance or extent of something that has happened. (AM INFORMAL)
They screwed things up big time...
America lost big-time.big toe (big toes)
[N-COUNT]
Your big toe is the largest toe on your foot.big top
[N-SING]
The large round tent that a circus uses for its performances is called the big top.big wheel (big wheels)
[N-COUNT]
A big wheel is a very large upright wheel with carriages around the edge of it which people can ride in. Big wheels are often found at theme parks or fun fairs. (BRIT; in AM, use ferris wheel)
1 [ADJ]
A big person or thing is large in physical size.
Australia's a big country...
Her husband was a big man...
The car was too big to fit into our garage.
= large
≠ small
2 [ADJ]
Something that is big consists of many people or things.
The crowd included a big contingent from Ipswich.
...the big backlog of applications.
= large
≠ small
3 [ADJ]
If you describe something such as a problem, increase, or change as a big one, you mean it is great in degree, extent, or importance.
Her problem was just too big for her to tackle on her own...
There could soon be a big increase in unemployment.
= serious
≠ small
4 [ADJ]
A big organization employs many people and has many customers.
Exchange is largely controlled by big banks.
...one of the biggest companies in Italy.
= large
≠ small
5 [ADJ] ADJ n, v-link ADJ in n
If you say that someone is big in a particular organization, activity, or place, you mean that they have a lot of influence or authority in it. (INFORMAL)
Their father was very big in the army...
I'm sure all the big names will come to the club.
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you call someone a big bully or a big coward, you are emphasizing your disapproval of them. (INFORMAL)
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
Children often refer to their older brother or sister as their big brother or sister.
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
Capital letters are sometimes referred to as big letters. (INFORMAL)
...a big letter J.
= capital
9 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Big words are long or rare words which have meanings that are difficult to understand. (INFORMAL)
They use a lot of big words.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make it big, you become successful or famous. (INFORMAL)
We're not just looking at making it big in the UK, we want to be big internationally.
11 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you think big, you make plans on a large scale, often using a lot of time, effort, or money.
Maybe we're not thinking big enough.
12 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If something is happening in a big way, it is happening on a large scale. (INFORMAL)
I think boxing will take off in a big way here.big band (big bands)
[N-COUNT]
A big band is a large group of musicians who play jazz or dance music. Big bands were especially popular from the 1930s to the 1950s.big busi|ness
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Big business is business which involves very large companies and very large sums of money.
Big business will never let petty nationalism get in the way of a good deal.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Something that is big business is something which people spend a lot of money on, and which has become an important commercial activity.
Sport has become big business.big cat (big cats)
[N-COUNT]
Big cats are lions, tigers, and other large wild animals in the cat family.big city
[N-SING] the N
The big city is used to refer to a large city which seems attractive to someone because they think there are many exciting things to do there, and many opportunities to earn a lot of money.
...a country girl who dreams of the big city and bright lights.big deal
1 [N-SING]
If you say that something is a big deal, you mean that it is important or significant in some way. (INFORMAL)
I felt the pressure on me, winning was such a big deal for the whole family...
It's no big deal.
2 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR out of/of/about n
If someone makes a big deal out of something, they make a fuss about it or treat it as if it were very important. (INFORMAL)
The Joneses make a big deal out of being `different'.
3 [CONVENTION]
You can say `big deal' to someone to show that you are not impressed by something that they consider important or impressive. (INFORMAL)
`You'll miss The Brady Bunch.'--`Big deal.'big dip|per (big dippers)
[N-COUNT]
A big dipper is a fairground ride that carries people up and down steep slopes on a narrow railway at high speed. (BRIT)
= roller coasterbig fish (big fish)
1 [N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a big fish, you believe that they are powerful or important in some way. (INFORMAL)
The four men arrested were described as really big fish by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
≠ small fry
2 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that someone is a big fish in a small pond, you mean that they are powerful or important but only within a small group of people. (INFORMAL)
In South Africa, Jani was a big fish in a small pond.big game
[N-UNCOUNT]
Large wild animals such as lions and elephants that are hunted for sport are often referred to as big game.big gun (big guns)
[N-COUNT]
If you refer to someone as a big gun, you mean that they have a lot of power or influence. (INFORMAL)
...the legal big guns who will prepare his defence.big head (big heads)
[N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a big head, you disapprove of them because they think they are very clever and know everything. (INFORMAL)
= know-allbig hit|ter (big hitters)
also big-hitter
1 [N-COUNT]
A big hitter is a sportsperson such as a golfer or tennis player who hits the ball with a lot of force.
The Uruguayan-born big-hitter smashed 28 aces.
2 [N-COUNT]
A big hitter is a powerful or influential person, especially in business or politics. (INFORMAL)
...if Tony Blair fails to persuade a Cabinet big hitter to take on the job.big mon|ey
[N-UNCOUNT]
Big money is an amount of money that seems very large to you, especially money which you get easily.
They began to make big money during the war.big mouth (big mouths)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone is a big mouth or that they have a big mouth, you mean that they tell other people things that should have been kept secret. (INFORMAL)
Why don't you shut your big mouth?big name (big names)
[N-COUNT]
A big name is a person who is successful and famous because of their work.
...all the big names in rock and pop.big noise (big noises)
[N-COUNT]
Someone who is a big noise has an important position in a group or organization. (BRIT INFORMAL)
= big shotbig screen
[N-SING] the N
When people talk about the big screen, they are referring to films that are made for cinema rather than for television.
She returns to the big screen to play Candy's overbearing mother, Rose.
≠ small screenbig shot (big shots)
[N-COUNT]
A big shot is an important and powerful person in a group or organization. (INFORMAL)
He's a big shot in Chilean politics.big time
also big-time
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You can use big time to refer to the highest level of an activity or sport where you can achieve the greatest amount of success or importance. If you describe a person as big time, you mean they are successful and important. (INFORMAL)
He took a long time to settle in to big-time football.
...a big-time investment banker.
2 [N-SING] the N
If someone hits the big time, they become famous or successful in a particular area of activity. (INFORMAL)
He hit the big time with films such as Ghost and Dirty Dancing.
3 [ADV] ADV after v
You can use big time if you want to emphasize the importance or extent of something that has happened. (AM INFORMAL)
They screwed things up big time...
America lost big-time.big toe (big toes)
[N-COUNT]
Your big toe is the largest toe on your foot.big top
[N-SING]
The large round tent that a circus uses for its performances is called the big top.big wheel (big wheels)
[N-COUNT]
A big wheel is a very large upright wheel with carriages around the edge of it which people can ride in. Big wheels are often found at theme parks or fun fairs. (BRIT; in AM, use ferris wheel)