adj.
Pronunciation: ' gr ā t, Southern also ' gre( ə )t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English grete, from Old English gr ē at; akin to Old High German gr ō z large
Date: before 12th century
1 a : notably large in size : HUGE b : of a kind characterized by relative largeness ― used in plant and animal names c : ELABORATE , AMPLE < great detail>
2 a : large in number or measure : NUMEROUS < great multitudes> b : PREDOMINANT <the great majority>
3 : remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness < great bloodshed>
4 : full of emotion < great with anger>
5 a : EMINENT , DISTINGUISHED <a great poet> b : chief or preeminent over others ― often used in titles <Lord Great Chamberlain> c : ARISTOCRATIC , GRAND < great ladies>
6 : long continued <a great while>
7 : PRINCIPAL , MAIN <a reception in the great hall>
8 : more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative < great -grandfather>
9 : markedly superior in character or quality especially : NOBLE < great of soul>
10 a : remarkably skilled < great at tennis> b : marked by enthusiasm : KEEN < great on science fiction>
11 ― used as a generalized term of approval <had a great time> <it was just great >
– great · ness noun