Definition

Noun: - An important or influential person: A "bigwig" refers to a person who holds a high position, has significant authority, or is very influential within a specific group, organization, or undertaking. The term often carries a slightly informal or humorous tone.

Usage

The word "bigwig" is used to describe someone with power, status, or importance. It is typically used in informal contexts, journalism, or conversation, and can sometimes imply a touch of irony or mild sarcasm regarding the person's perceived self-importance. - It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a bigwig, the bigwigs). - It is often used with possessive determiners or in prepositional phrases (e.g., company bigwigs, bigwigs from the industry).

Examples

• The bigwigs from the head office are visiting our branch tomorrow.
• At the charity gala, all the political bigwigs were in attendance.
• He finally got a meeting with one of the bigwigs in the film studio.
• The decision will be made by the bigwigs, not by us.

Advanced Usage

• "The bigwig": Used to specify the single most important person in a context.
  • We need final approval from the bigwig himself.
• "Bigwig" as an attributive noun: Used before another noun to describe a type of person or event.
  • It was a bigwig dinner for donors only.

Variants and Related Words

• Big cheese (noun, informal): A synonym for an important person.
• Big shot (noun, informal): Another term for a powerful or influential person.
• VIP (Very Important Person) (noun): A more formal/acronymic term for a person of great importance or status.
• Mogul (noun): Often refers to a powerful person in a specific industry (e.g., a media mogul).
• Top brass (noun, informal): Refers to the group of people in the highest positions, especially in the military or an organization.

Synonyms

• Dignitary: A person considered important because of high rank or office.
• Luminary: A person who inspires or influences others, especially in a particular field.
• Magnate: A wealthy and influential person, especially in business.
• Head honcho (informal): The person in charge; the leader.

Antonyms

• Underling: A subordinate.
• Nobody: A person of no importance or influence.
• Small fry (informal): A person or thing of little importance.

Idioms and Related Phrases

• The powers that be: This phrase refers to the people in authority, similar to "the bigwigs," but is more abstract.
  • The powers that be have decided to cancel the project.
• Pull strings: To use one's influence, often secretly, which is something a "bigwig" might do.
  • His father, a corporate bigwig, pulled some strings to get him the internship.

Noun

1. the most important person in a group or undertaking