great
Pluralgreats
- 1
- 2Very big, or much more than usual in amount or strength.
She took great care with her homework every night.
There was a great amount of noise outside the window.
UsageSay a great deal of time, but a great number of people.
Similarconsiderable, large, immense, huge, enormous
Note
- 3Used to show that you are pleased, or sarcastically to show that you are annoyed or disappointed.
Great, everyone is finally here and we can start!
Great! That is exactly what I was hoping to hear.
UsageSaid flatly, as in Oh, great, it shows you are annoyed.
- 4Very important and having big effects on what happens.
Ending slavery was a great step that changed the country forever.
The vote was a great moment in their history.
Similarmajor, important, significant, momentous, big
Oppositeminor, insignificant, trivial
Note
- 5Having amazing talent or having achieved very impressive things.
She was a great violinist admired all across Europe.
Most people agreed he was a great leader of his time.
Similaroutstanding, brilliant, eminent, distinguished, accomplished
- 6In a way that is very good or satisfying.
The team played great in the second half.
Everything is going great so far.
UsageSay did great when talking. In formal writing, use well.
Similarwell, brilliantly, superbly, wonderfully
- 7Added before a family word to show one more generation each time it is repeated, as in great-grandmother or great-grandson.
My great-grandmother grew up on a small farm by the sea.
He keeps an old photo of his great-grandfather in the hall.
UsageUse a hyphen after each great: great-grandmother, great-great-grandson.
Note
- 8
Less common meanings
- 9
- 10Very impressive or striking, in how it looks or in the effect it has.
The fireworks over the harbor made a great spectacle.
The queen made a great entrance, and everyone in the room turned to look.
Similarimpressive, striking, magnificent, grand, splendid
- 11Doing something a lot, or with a lot of energy.
She's a great reader and finishes a book every week.
He's a great walker, covering miles every day.
UsageNot a great one for parties means you do not like them much.
Similarkeen, avid, enthusiastic, passionate, devoted
Note
- 12Used or liked by many people at a certain time.
Similarpopular, fashionable, favored, big
Oppositeunpopular, unfashionable
- 13Very close and friendly with someone.
those that are so great with him
1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Followers and Friends”Here, great means close friends with someone.Note
- 14Used to make a word stronger, often in playful insults.
Move over, you great fool, before you knock the lamp down!
Stop being such a great baby about a little cold water.
UsageIt goes before a noun, often after you: you great fool!
Similarbig
- 15Pregnant or carrying young inside, or full of something, as in great with hope.
The ewe was great with lamb by midwinter.
the ewes great with young
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, great means pregnant, full with babies inside.Note
- 16The main set of keys and pipes on a large organ, usually the loudest part.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of great apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from Old English grēat, meaning "big, thick, or coarse." It goes back through older Germanic words that also meant "big" or "coarse-grained."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Great derives from Old English grēat, whose meanings included big, thick, and coarse. en.wiktionary.org
- The Old English word descends from earlier Germanic forms meaning big or coarse-grained. en.wiktionary.org