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
Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Temu and Shein have taken steps to grow their operations in the U.S. as the de minimis loophole has come under greater scrutiny.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Even in miniature, their two tastes taste great together.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Kevin Weatherly, Ryder’s boss past and present, returned to KROQ in 2022 as senior vice president of programming after leaving it in 2019 for a job at Spotify, and praised Ryder as one of the greats of Southern California radio.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Adjective
This assignment begins with secondary and higher educational institutions taking greater strides to enrich offerings civics instruction.
—Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Temu and Shein have taken steps to grow their operations in the U.S. as the de minimis loophole has come under greater scrutiny.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Shane Smith, a Danvers native who played at Governor’s Academy in Byfield, is also in Chicago’s rotation, and Mike Vasil, a former BC High great from Wellesley, is on the roster as well.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Even in miniature, their two tastes taste great together.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
While on the road for the introductory headlining run, Glo says she's been taking in inspiration from some of the greats, too.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Kevin Weatherly, Ryder’s boss past and present, returned to KROQ in 2022 as senior vice president of programming after leaving it in 2019 for a job at Spotify, and praised Ryder as one of the greats of Southern California radio.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for great
Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 15 Apr. 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
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