large

1 of 3

adjective

larger; largest
1
a
: exceeding most other things of like kind especially in quantity or size : big
a large number of complaints
b
: dealing in great numbers or quantities
a large and highly profitable business
2
a
: having more than usual capacity or scope : comprehensive
take the large view
will take a larger role in the negotiations
b
: powerful, forceful
had a large influence on the lives of his family
c
: very successful or popular
a large rock band
3
: extravagant, boastful
large talk
4
of a wind : favorable
5
obsolete : lavish
6
obsolete
a
: ample, abundant
a large crop of apples
b
: extensive, broad
a large expanse of farmland
7
obsolete
a
of language or expression : coarse, vulgar
b
: lax in conduct : loose
largeness noun
largish adjective

large

2 of 3

adverb

1
: in a large manner : extravagantly
living large
2
: with the wind abaft the beam
3
obsolete : in abundance : amply, liberally

large

3 of 3

noun

1
slang : a thousand dollars
2
obsolete : liberality, generosity
Phrases
at large
1
a
: free of restraint or confinement
the escaped prisoner is still at large
b
: without a specific subject or assignment
critic at large
2
: as a whole
society at large
3
: as the political representative of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions
used in combination with a preceding noun
a congressman-at-large
4
: at length
5
: in a general way
in the large
: on a large scale : in general

Examples of large in a Sentence

Adjective a large glass of water It's the largest city in the state. These T-shirts are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Which city has the largest population? Her policies are supported by a large part of the population. A large number of workers have filed complaints. He has a very large appetite. Adverb college students living large on generous allowances from indulgent parents Noun These shirts are all larges. “What size ice-cream cones do you want?” “We'll take three larges and a small.”
Recent Examples on the Web
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
His advisers are reportedly coming up with proposals to end the war that would result in Ukraine ceding large amounts of territory and putting the pursuit of NATO membership on hold, according to Reuters. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 For example, Gemini (formerly Bard) can analyze large amounts of financial data, generate reports, make forecasts and provide tailored recommendations. Anisha Sircar, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Adverb
But the media industry writ large considers the cable marketplace to be in decline. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2024 But scandals loomed large over Benedict's papacy. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 2 Jan. 2023
Noun
Astronomers think that an asteroid this large comes within such proximity to Earth only once every 5,000 to 10,000 years. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 July 2024 The set comes with two organizers, one medium and the other large. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for large 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, broad, wide, generous, from Latin largus generous, plentiful

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of large was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near large

Cite this Entry

“Large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/large. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

large

adjective
ˈlärj
larger; largest
: greater, bigger, more extended, or more powerful than usual
largeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on large

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