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
Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2024
No one that ever did anything great got there with ease or by an easy, non-bumpy road.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 19 Aug. 2024
Vanessa L. Powell, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2024
Bonus points for the vibey can, which would look great staged in a Kinfolk photoshoot or brochure for a yoga studio.
—Pete Cottell, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024
Critics are comparing your flow to the greats like Lil Wayne and Eminem.
—Isha Sharma, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great 
Adjective
And so this crew, who in the mud and the snow and the rain, really gave a great sacrifice, made this show a reality.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2024
No one that ever did anything great got there with ease or by an easy, non-bumpy road.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 19 Aug. 2024
Adverb
Instead of a sweatshirt, try an oversize polo which also looks great draped over your shoulders.
—Vanessa L. Powell, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2024
Bonus points for the vibey can, which would look great staged in a Kinfolk photoshoot or brochure for a yoga studio.
—Pete Cottell, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024
Noun
Boyd was a poet and writer, and the couple often hosted literary greats such as F. Scott Fitzgerald.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024
Critics are comparing your flow to the greats like Lil Wayne and Eminem.
—Isha Sharma, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'great.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near great
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 5 Sep. 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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