great

/greit/
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great

A great oak tree stands tall in the middle of a sunlit meadow.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average; large in size, number, or degree: "great" describes something that is significantly larger, more numerous, or more intense than what is typical.
    • Of ability, quality, or eminence considerably above average; important, distinguished, or outstanding: "great" indicates a high level of importance, excellence, skill, or fame.
    • Very good; excellent; enjoyable: "great" is used informally to express strong approval, pleasure, or enthusiasm.
    • Used to emphasize a noun, describing it as significant or notable: "great" can function as an intensifier before another noun.
  2. Noun:

    • A person who is distinguished, famous, or important, especially in a particular field: "great" refers to an individual of significant achievement or renown.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • A great forest stretched before them. (A very large forest stretched before them.)
    • She is considered one of the great artists of her generation. (She is considered one of the most outstanding artists of her generation.)
    • We had a great time at the concert. (We had a very good/enjoyable time at the concert.)
    • It was a great mistake to ignore the warnings. (It was a significant/notable mistake to ignore the warnings.)
  • Noun:

    • He is among the greats of classical music. (He is among the most distinguished figures in classical music.)
Advanced Usage
  • "the great" (plural noun): Used to refer collectively to important or famous people.

    • The gallery features portraits of the great and the good. (The gallery features portraits of important and virtuous people.)
  • "great with child" (archaic): An old-fashioned expression meaning heavily pregnant.

    • In the novel, the queen was great with child. (In the novel, the queen was heavily pregnant.)
  • "a great many": A phrase meaning a very large number of.

    • A great many people attended the festival. (A very large number of people attended the festival.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Greatly (adverb): To a large extent; very much.

    • His work has greatly improved. (His work has improved to a large extent.)
  • Greatness (noun): The quality of being great, distinguished, or eminent.

    • She achieved greatness in the field of science. (She achieved a state of being eminent in the field of science.)
Synonyms
  • Adjective: Large, big, huge, immense, enormous, outstanding, eminent, distinguished, excellent, superb, wonderful, terrific.
  • Noun: Luminary, notable, dignitary, celebrity.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Great" is primarily an adjective/noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The following are common collocations.) - "Go great guns": To proceed or perform with great energy, speed, or success. - The new business is going great guns. (The new business is performing very successfully.)

  • "Make great strides": To make rapid and significant progress.
    • The research team has made great strides this year. (The research team has made significant progress this year.)
Related Idioms
  • "Great minds think alike": A humorous saying used when two people have the same idea at the same time.

    • You ordered the same dish? Great minds think alike! (You ordered the same dish? It's funny we had the same idea!)
  • "The greater good": The benefit of the public, of most people, or of a community as a whole.

    • He sacrificed his personal comfort for the greater good. (He sacrificed his personal comfort for the benefit of the community.)
  • "No great shakes": Not very good or impressive.

    • His latest movie is no great shakes. (His latest movie is not very impressive.)
great

A great oak tree stands tall in the middle of a sunlit meadow.

Adjective
  1. in an advanced stage of pregnancy
    • was big with child
    • was great with child
  2. uppercase
    • capital A
    • great A
    • many medieval manuscripts are in majuscule script
  3. very good
    • he did a bully job
    • a neat sports car
    • had a great time at the party
    • you look simply smashing
  4. remarkable or out of the ordinary in degree or magnitude or effect
    • a great crisis
    • had a great stake in the outcome
  5. of major significance or importance
    • a great work of art
    • Einstein was one of the outstanding figures of the 20th centurey
  6. relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
    • a great juicy steak
    • a great multitude
    • the great auk
    • a great old oak
    • a great ocean liner
    • a great delay
Noun
  1. a person who has achieved distinction and honor in some field
    • he is one of the greats of American music