Definition of 'great'
Word forms: comparative greater
, superlative greatest
, plural greats
1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
2. adjective
Great means large in amount or degree.
I'll take great care of it.
Benjamin Britten did not live to a great age.
3. adjective
...the great cultural achievements of the past.
America can be great again.
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You can describe someone who is successful and famous for their actions, knowledge, or skill as great.
Wes Hall was once one of the West Indies' great cricketers.
...the great George Padmore.
5. plural noun
The greats in a particular subject or field of activity are the people who have been most successful
or famous in it.
[journalism] ...all the greats of Hollywood.
...cycling's all-time greats.
6. plural noun
7. adjective
8. adjective
9. adjective
You use great in order to emphasize the size or degree of a characteristic or quality.
[emphasis] ...a great big Italian wedding.
...her sense of colour and great eye for detail.
10. exclamation
11. exclamation
12. countable noun
Great is used as part of the name of a species of plant or animal when there is another
species of the same plant or animal which is smaller and has different characteristics.
...the great white shark.
13. See also greater
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
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Synonyms of "great"
French Definition of "great"
Translator
Hindi Definition of "great"
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Easy Learning English Grammar
adjective
1.
2.
relatively large in number; having many parts or members
a great assembly
7.
13.
what a great buffoon
he's not a great one for reading
19. be great on
adverb
noun
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
adverb
greatness (ˈgreatness)
noun
Word origin of 'great'
adjective
1.
; esp.,
a.
designating a thing or group of things larger than others of the same kind
the great cats are tigers, lions, etc.; the Great Lakes
c.
long in duration
a great while
2.
; esp.,
b.
very much of a; acting much as (something specified)
a great reader
3.
of most importance; main; chief
the great seal
6. Chiefly Dialectal
pregnant
: chiefly in great with child adverb
7. Informal
very well
noun
8.
a great or distinguished person
usually used in pl. SIMILAR WORDS: large
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
adverb
greatness (ˈgreatness)
noun
Word origin of 'great'
Example sentences containing 'great'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
And it does not get a great deal worse than this. The Sun (2017)Social media is great but people voice their opinions in the wrong way sometimes. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It was my first time but she made me feel great. The Sun (2017)Jumping in the ocean is one of the great joys in my life. The Sun (2016)While they are big in area, many of the great modern reservoirs can be disappointing for birds. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The controls clearly show which speed is suitable for which task, with a great number and variety of options. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Let's go make something great! Times, Sunday Times (2016)IT has been a sad year for music with many all-time greats passing away. The Sun (2016)He said: 'It was a great day. The Sun (2016)She said:'I will say it is great to have a woman in charge of the country. The Sun (2016)You may also need to move quickly if you wish to secure a great deal. Times, Sunday Times (2011)We feel great sadness when a person dies or is hurt on our land. Times, Sunday Times (2008)One of the great modern managerial careers now hinges on a long shot. Times, Sunday Times (2016)There are a great number of exercise ideas to choose from. POSITIVELY FEARLESS: Breaking free of the fears that hold you back (2001)So often one great performance will overwhelm the rest. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Which is not to say the great gutting was unnecessary. Times, Sunday Times (2013)That you say you have something of great importance to our cause. Man of Honour (2007)Being on the ocean was another of her great pleasures. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Washington has to recognise that it needs a great deal of help. Times, Sunday Times (2006)We made a renewed commitment to use great works of art in our own ministry back home. Christianity Today (2000)To work with that group of people has been great. Times, Sunday Times (2007)She also had great taste in music. Times, Sunday Times (2008)To take up this great offer go to our website. The Sun (2014)Some of these new services have great views from the top deck. The Sun (2013)My free leaflet on how to get a great social life is full of ideas. The Sun (2006)Then you notice the whacking great big lighthouse back left. Times, Sunday Times (2011)The guys behind the scenes are doing a great job. Times, Sunday Times (2013)We beat the greats of cinema. Times, Sunday Times (2009)So how do they match up against the all-time greats? Times, Sunday Times (2010)So just to be back at Wembley again is great. The Sun (2010)He is quick and skilful, he has great and scores tries. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The island is also renowned as the great white shark capital of Australia. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The Olympics would have been good but not great. Times, Sunday Times (2012)He said: 'It would be great to see her win one of them' The Sun (2010)
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Definition of great from the
Collins English Dictionary
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