1
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
—used as a generalized term of approval
had a great time
It was just great.
5
a
: eminent, distinguished
a great poet
b
: aristocratic, grand
great ladies
c
: chief or preeminent over others
—often used in titles
Lord Great Chamberlain
6
: markedly superior in character or quality
7
a
: remarkably skilled
great at tennis
b
: marked by enthusiasm : keen
great on science fiction
8
: more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative
great-grandfather
9
: long continued
a great while
11
: full of emotion
great with anger
plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
a tribute to the greats of baseball
Synonyms
Examples of great in a Sentence
Adjective
all creatures great and small
The project will require a great amount of time and money.
The building was restored at great expense.
a great quantity of fish
The low cost of these products gives them great appeal.
There is a very great need for reform.
They're in no great hurry to finish.
There is a great demand for his services.
an actress of great charm
Is there any love greater than that between parent and child?
Adverb
We had some problems at first, but now things are going just great.
Keep up the good work. You're doing great!
Recent Examples on the Web
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Nancy talks about how great Guy and Chock seem to be and tells Joan not to give all this power to Pascal.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Minnesota played great and the Niners have trouble against that defensive scheme.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Born on March 14, 1933, the Chicago native first rose to prominence as a trumpet player in bands for jazz music greats including Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great 
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Adjective
The increase in net loss is due to the decrease in sales being greater than the decrease in operating expenses.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Nancy talks about how great Guy and Chock seem to be and tells Joan not to give all this power to Pascal.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Adverb
In March 2024, the songwriting great released In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, a documentary reflecting on his almost seven-decade career.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Minnesota played great and the Niners have trouble against that defensive scheme.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2024
Noun
His mastery of the sport earned him a reputation as one of table tennis’ last greats of that era.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Born on March 14, 1933, the Chicago native first rose to prominence as a trumpet player in bands for jazz music greats including Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great
Articles Related to great
Dictionary Entries Near great
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
great
1 of 3 adjective
ˈgrāt 
in South also ˈgre(ə)t
1
: large in size : not small or little
2
: large in number : numerous
a great crowd
3
: long continued
a great while
4
: beyond the average or ordinary
a great weight
in great pain
5
: distinguished, prominent
a great artist
6
: more distant in relationship by one generation
7
: superior in quality or character
8
: remarkable in skill
great at tennis
9
—used as a term of general approval
had a great time
greatly
adverb
greatness
noun
great
2 of 3 adverb
: in a great manner : successfully, well
great
3 of 3 noun
plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
the greats of baseball
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