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
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
Ollie Barder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Sykes said Danaher’s initial cost savings announced in the company’s most recent 10-K filing could lead to potentially greater margins in 2025 and 2026.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Congrats to Alcantara, at least, who deserves to be traded to a team that cares about winning instead of pitching great but losing because his hitters are swinging pool noodles instead of bats.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
Beatty grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by acting greats, and had an early introduction to the entertainment industry as the daughter of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
So, if the audience doesn’t dismiss it on account of the language barrier (as in subtitles), then that would be great.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Sykes said Danaher’s initial cost savings announced in the company’s most recent 10-K filing could lead to potentially greater margins in 2025 and 2026.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Among those who've paid tribute to the late boxing great include fellow fighter Mike Tyson, who shared a message on his X account.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Congrats to Alcantara, at least, who deserves to be traded to a team that cares about winning instead of pitching great but losing because his hitters are swinging pool noodles instead of bats.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
On Tuesday, March 11, the indie rock greats shared a poster on social media with a list of eight cities: Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Mexico City, Nashville, New York, and San Francisco.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
Beatty grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by acting greats, and had an early introduction to the entertainment industry as the daughter of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Articles Related to great
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share