english
1
general::
adj. large VERBS be, look, seem | become, get, grow ADV. extremely, incredibly, really, very | fairly, pretty, quite, rather This house is rather big for us. We need something smaller. PHRASES big fat He was a big fat chap with a beard. important VERBS be ADV. extremely, really, very hoping the show would be a really big success | fairly, pretty This is a fairly big decision to make.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
big
• a big city • a big guy • a big mistake • Lack of funding is the biggest problem. • Getting a car has made a big difference to my life.
large
a slightly more formal word than big , used to describe objects and amounts:
• a large bowl • Large areas of the forest have been destroyed. • The museum attracts a large number of visitors.
major
[ only before noun ] big and important:
• Pollution is a major problem. • There has been a major change in government policy.
considerable/substantial
quite big – used especially about amounts:
• They have spent a considerable amount of money on the project. • A substantial amount of heat is lost through the windows. • He had a considerable influence on young musicians.
very big
huge/massive/enormous
extremely big:
• The table was enormous. • a huge explosion • Their house is huge. • There is a huge amount of work to be done. • There has been a massive increase in oil prices. • The company is massive, operating in 150 countries. • A massive fire destroyed more than thirty homes. • He’s been under an enormous amount of stress recently. • The changes will have an enormous impact.
great
[ only before noun ] very big – used especially to describe the level or number of something:
• He achieved great success in America. • The college offers a great number of courses. • a great advantage
vast
extremely big – used about areas, distances, numbers, or amounts:
• vast areas of rainforest • A vast number of tourists visit the island every year.
gigantic
extremely big and much bigger than other things of the same type:
• Gigantic waves crashed onto the beach.
colossal
extremely big – used about amounts or objects:
• James ran up a colossal phone bill. • a colossal statue of Napoleon
tremendous
having an extremely big effect:
• There have been some tremendous changes. • My new job will be a tremendous challenge. • The children were making a tremendous amount of noise.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with BIG, Also see GO OVER BIG; GREAT (BIG) GUNS; HIT IT BIG; IN A BIG WAY; LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND; MAKE A FEDERAL CASE (BIG DEAL); TALK BIG; THINK BIG; TOO BIG FOR ONE'S BREECHES; WHAT'S THE (BIG) IDEA. Also see under BIGGER.
American Heritage Idioms
4
general::
big sb/sth up
[ M ]
to talk a lot about how excellent someone or something is, sometimes praising them or it more than is deserved
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
5
general::
adj.
large:
It was a big bear that we saw.
adj.
important:
This is a big opportunity.
Simple Definitions