Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having escaped, especially from confinement: Used to describe a person, especially a criminal or prisoner, who has escaped and is not yet recaptured.
   • Free, not confined: More generally, it can describe something or someone that is free, unrestricted, or not under control.

2. Adverb:

   • In a general fashion; generally: Discussing a topic broadly, without focusing on specific details.
   • At length; in full detail: Speaking or writing expansively and thoroughly on a subject.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The suspect remains at large and is considered dangerous. (The suspect is still free/not captured.)
  • After the storm, several zoo animals were at large in the city. (The animals were loose/not confined.)

• Adverb:

  • The report discussed the economic issues at large. (The report discussed economic issues in a general way.)
  • She spoke at large about her experiences abroad. (She spoke in detail and at length about her experiences.)

Advanced Usage

• "The public at large": Refers to the general public or society as a whole.

  • The new policy will affect the public at large. (The policy will affect the general public.)

• "Ambassador-at-large" or "Representative-at-large": A special title for an official with broad, general responsibilities not limited to a specific region.

  • He served as a cultural ambassador-at-large. (He served as a cultural ambassador with wide-ranging duties.)

Variants and Related Words

• Loose (adj): Not firmly or tightly fixed in place; not confined. (e.g., , ).
• Fugitive (n): A person who has escaped from captivity or is in hiding. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Adjective: Escaped, free, on the loose, unconfined.
• Adverb: Generally, broadly, extensively, in detail.

Related Phrases

• On the loose: Having escaped; free and often causing trouble. (Very similar to the adjectival use of 'at large').
  • Three prisoners are on the loose. (Three prisoners have escaped.)

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and most common modern use is the adjectival sense describing an escaped criminal or dangerous entity that is free.
• The adverbial sense is more formal and is often used in written or formal spoken contexts to mean "in general" or "at length."

Adjective

1. having escaped, especially from confinement
   • a convict still at large
   • searching for two escaped prisoners
   • dogs loose on the streets
   • criminals on the loose in the neighborhood

Adverb

1. in a general fashion
   • he talked at large about his plans