major

/'meidʤə/

Definition

Adjective:
- Greater in importance, size, or seriousness: Used to describe something that is more significant, larger, or more severe than others.
- Of full legal age: (Archaic or formal) Referring to a person who has reached the age of adulthood.
- Relating to an academic specialization: Pertaining to a student's primary field of study at a university.
- (Music) Based on a major scale: Characterized by intervals that produce a bright or happy sound, as opposed to a minor scale.
Noun:
- A principal field of academic study: The primary subject a student focuses on at a college or university.
- A student specializing in a particular field: A university student whose principal subject is a specified discipline.
- A military rank: A commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps ranking above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
- (British, historical) An elder brother at a school: Used to distinguish the elder of two brothers with the same surname at a school.
Verb:
- To specialize in an academic subject: To have or choose a specific subject as one's principal field of study at a university.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- The city is undertaking a major renovation of its public transit system.
- She made a major contribution to the field of genetics.
- The symphony is written in the key of B-flat major.
Noun:
- Her major is computer science.
- He is a history major.
- The major gave orders to his troops.
Verb:
- I plan to major in economics.

Advanced Usage

"Major in" (phrasal verb): To specialize in a particular academic subject.
- She decided to major in philosophy.
"Major on" (phrasal verb, less common): To focus on or emphasize something.
- The report majors on the economic implications of the policy.

Variants and Related Words

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Idioms and Phrases

Major league: (Adjective) Of the highest level of professional competition, especially in sports; (by extension) very important or significant.
- He's a major league baseball player.
- This is a major league problem.
Major player: An important or influential person or organization in a particular field.
- The company is a major player in the tech industry.

Adjective

of the elder of two boys with the same family name
- Jones major
of full legal age
of greater seriousness or danger
- a major earthquake
- a major hurricane
- a major illness
of a scale or mode
- major scales
- the key of D major
of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes
- his major field was mathematics
greater in number or size or amount
- a major portion (a majority) of the population
- Ursa Major
- a major portion of the winnings
greater in scope or effect
- a major contribution
- a major improvement
- a major break with tradition
- a major misunderstanding
of greater importance or stature or rank
- a major artist
- a major role
- major highways

Noun

the principal field of study of a student at a university
- her major is linguistics
a university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject
- she is a linguistics major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain

Verb

Khám phá thêm

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