(bigger, biggest)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
A big person or thing is large in physical size.
Australia's a big country...
Her husband was a big man...
The car was too big to fit into our garage.
= large
? small
ADJ
2.
Something that is big consists of many people or things.
The crowd included a big contingent from Ipswich.
...the big backlog of applications.
= large
? small
ADJ
3.
If you describe something such as a problem, increase, or change as a big one, you mean it is great in degree, extent, or importance.
Her problem was just too big for her to tackle on her own...
There could soon be a big increase in unemployment.
= serious
? small
ADJ
4.
A big organization employs many people and has many customers.
Exchange is largely controlled by big banks.
...one of the biggest companies in Italy.
= large
? small
ADJ
5.
If you say that someone is big in a particular organization, activity, or place, you mean that they have a lot of influence or authority in it. (INFORMAL)
Their father was very big in the army...
I'm sure all the big names will come to the club.
ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ in n
6.
If you call someone a big bully or a big coward, you are emphasizing your disapproval of them. (INFORMAL)
ADJ: ADJ n [emphasis]
7.
Children often refer to their older brother or sister as their big brother or sister.
ADJ: ADJ n
8.
Capital letters are sometimes referred to as big letters. (INFORMAL)
...a big letter J.
= capital
ADJ: ADJ n
9.
Big words are long or rare words which have meanings that are difficult to understand. (INFORMAL)
They use a lot of big words.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
10.
If you make it big, you become successful or famous. (INFORMAL)
We're not just looking at making it big in the UK, we want to be big internationally.
PHRASE: V inflects
11.
If you think big, you make plans on a large scale, often using a lot of time, effort, or money.
Maybe we're not thinking big enough.
PHRASE: V inflects
12.
If something is happening in a big way, it is happening on a large scale. (INFORMAL)
I think boxing will take off in a big way here.
PHRASE: PHR after v