- big
- I UK [bɪɡ] / US
adjective
Word forms "big":
adjective big comparative bigger superlative biggest
***
1)a) large in sizea beautiful woman with big eyes
great big (= very big):He kept all his secret papers in a big box.
At the end of the lane was a great big house.
b) a big person is tall and heavy, and often fatA big man stood in the doorway.
2) large in degree, or having a strong effectThe company faces big problems.
The concerts have been a big success.
a) very enthusiastic or serious about somethingThey were big fans of the Beatles.
b) [not usually before noun] informal popular with many peoplea type of music that is big in America
3) important or majorWe have another big game next week.
I had never been involved in making the big decisions before.
Big changes are likely to be made.
a) powerful or successful in a particular area of activitybig in:The place was full of big businessmen.
the big two/three/four etc (= the two/three/four etc most important people or organizations):Her mother is big in daytime television.
Other stores struggle to compete with the big four retailers.
b) big or Bigmainly journalism used for referring to large and powerful industries that are considered to have a lot of political influenceBig Tobacco (= the major cigarette companies)
an important victory for Big Oil
4)a) a big boy or a big girl is getting older or is older than another child. This word is used mainly by children or when speaking to childrenCome on, you're a big girl now (= old enough to behave like an adult).
b) your big sister or big brother is older than you areThis is my big brother, Jake.
•a big smile/kiss/hug etc
— a big smile or kiss is done with enthusiasm and has a strong effectbe big of someone (to do something)
— spoken used for saying that someone has been kind or generous, especially when you do not really think that they haveIt was big of him to help out like that.
make a big thing (out) of something
— informal to treat something as if it is more important than it really isDon't make such a big thing out of it. It's only a few days late.
what's the big idea?
— spoken used for asking someone why they have done something that you think is wrong or annoyingWhat's the big idea, telling her about the accident?
See:
II UK [bɪɡ] / US verbPhrasal verbs:- big up
English dictionary. 2014.