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
Adjective
And looming ever larger on the horizon is the prospect that China will take maximum advantage of the window of opportunity provided by a weak presence in the Oval Office. Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024 Starbucks’ ongoing expansion has vaulted it to the second largest restaurant chain in the world—and a run at first place doesn’t seem implausible. Chris Morris, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 The district has also predicted an even larger $164 million unrestricted shortfall for the following school year, in 2025-2026. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 According to The Athletic, the team plans to release tight end Hayden Hurst, despite minimal cap savings and a rather large dead money bill. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 Now he’s announced a major donation—one of the largest in the state’s history—to three hospitals on the island. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 South Florida’s pull as a sports tourism magnet strengthens this weekend as one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment entities, a mixed martial arts group, comes back to Kaseya Center in downtown Miami. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Haley broke a barrier as the first woman to win a GOP primary, and survived a crowded field that included a former vice president and the governor of the third largest state, who at one time polled well ahead. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Raleigh, North Carolina The largest of the three Research Triangle cities, over the past few years, Raleigh has consistently been voted one of the best places to live in the country. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But scandals loomed large over Benedict's papacy. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 2 Jan. 2023 And while his body wasn’t physically present, as is typical at a real wake, the spirit of Carlos Marín loomed large over the show. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 27 Feb. 2022 The Zyliss also boasts an impressive capacity that can hold up to six servings of salad, and the large-holed colander removes water faster than other brands without holding your herbs hostage. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 29 Sep. 2021 The holy site has become a proxy for who controls Jerusalem (the eastern part of which remains occupied under international law and which both Israelis and Palestinians claim as their capital) and of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict writ large. Yasmeen Serhan, Time, 4 Jan. 2023 Hitler’s defense lawyer talks about how the right to a fair trial is a tenant not only of justice writ large, but also of Jewish morality. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2023 Ferreira accessorized her summery look with large-framed gold wired glasses, a simple gold necklace and a few rings. Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2023 Don't let limited space stop you from living large! Amanda Sims Clifford, House Beautiful, 19 Dec. 2022 There is no simple solution to all of this, or to addressing the myriad concerns people may have about booster doses, initial Covid-19 vaccines, the healthcare system or the government writ large, or people’s lack of concern about Covid-19 itself. Emily K. Brunson, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2022
Noun
The set comes with two organizers, one medium and the other large. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 There are two sizes of this bag; the medium has an 11.6-liter capacity for its main compartment, while the large has a 15.5-liter capacity. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2024 There's a reason a large of Congresswomen are former scouts! Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023 Always steamed fresh, blue male crabs ($130 per dozen) seemed slightly big for larges and maintained moistness without being wet. Kendyl Kearly, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2023 As a protégé of Diana Vreeland and the epitome of sartorial aristocracy, Talley brought his inimitable love for grandeur as an editor-at-large to the pages of Vogue for four decades. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 24 Jan. 2023 Board members are elected at-large to three-year, staggered terms representing the entire Frisco ISD community. Dallas News, 4 Jan. 2023 André Leon Talley, the hugely influential fashion journalist and flamboyant former editor-at-large of U.S. Vogue, died at the age of 73. Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Dec. 2022 He was known for being an American fashion journalist, stylist, creative director, and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine. The Editors, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'large.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

large

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

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