transcription, транскрипция: [ bɪg ]
( 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