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.)

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