adj. Belonging to the top group; of the leading class; important. Jean won a talent contest in her home town, and only a year later she began dancing on big-time television. Bob practices boxing in the gym every day; he wants to become a big time boxer. Often used in the phrase "big-time operator". Just because Bill has a new football uniform he thinks he is a big-time operator.
Compare: SHOW OFF.
Antonym: SMALL-TIME.