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
Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
At this point in the 42-year-old rapper’s career, Wayne, like Brady, has soared high enough in his profession to be considered one of the greatest of all-time.
—Shaheem Reid, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
Alexander S. Blume, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The knife performed great across the board with our chopping and slicing tests, including sweet potatoes, and didn’t lose its sharp edge.
—Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024
Russell Contreras, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
Many of the former Liberty greats were in the audience, including Teresa Weatherspoon, who hit a half-court heave in the 1999 WNBA Finals to force a decisive Game 3 that year.
—Doug Feinberg, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for great 
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Adjective
Advertisement In a promising sign for Democrats, women have voted early in greater numbers than men: Nearly 56% of those who cast ballots were women, compared with 44% men.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
At this point in the 42-year-old rapper’s career, Wayne, like Brady, has soared high enough in his profession to be considered one of the greatest of all-time.
—Shaheem Reid, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
Adverb
This worked great until supply overwhelmed demand and the product started trading at a discount to NAV in secondary markets for years.
—Alexander S. Blume, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
The knife performed great across the board with our chopping and slicing tests, including sweet potatoes, and didn’t lose its sharp edge.
—Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024
Noun
The intrigue: Until Valenzuela's arrival, there had been just a few Mexican American baseball greats in Major League Baseball.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
Many of the former Liberty greats were in the audience, including Teresa Weatherspoon, who hit a half-court heave in the 1999 WNBA Finals to force a decisive Game 3 that year.
—Doug Feinberg, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 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 14 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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