(~ger, ~gest)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ person or thing is large in physical size.
Australia’s a ~ country...
Her husband was a ~ man...
The car was too ~ to fit into our garage.
= large
? small
ADJ
2.
Something that is ~ consists of many people or things.
The crowd included a ~ contingent from Ipswich.
...the ~ backlog of applications.
= large
? small
ADJ
3.
If you describe something such as a problem, increase, or change as a ~ one, you mean it is great in degree, extent, or importance.
Her problem was just too ~ for her to tackle on her own...
There could soon be a ~ increase in unemployment.
= serious
? small
ADJ
4.
A ~ organization employs many people and has many customers.
Exchange is largely controlled by ~ banks.
...one of the ~gest companies in Italy.
= large
? small
ADJ
5.
If you say that someone is ~ 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 ~ in the army...
I’m sure all the ~ names will come to the club.
ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ in n
6.
If you call someone a ~ bully or a ~ 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 ~ brother or sister.
ADJ: ADJ n
8.
Capital letters are sometimes referred to as ~ letters. (INFORMAL)
...a ~ 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 ~ words.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
10.
If you make it ~, you become successful or famous. (INFORMAL)
We’re not just looking at making it ~ in the UK, we want to be ~ internationally.
PHRASE: V inflects
11.
If you think ~, you make plans on a large scale, often using a lot of time, effort, or money.
Maybe we’re not thinking ~ enough.
PHRASE: V inflects
12.
If something is happening in a ~ way, it is happening on a large scale. (INFORMAL)
I think boxing will take off in a ~ way here.
PHRASE: PHR after v