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great

/ɡɹeɪt/

noun

Meaning

  • A person of major significance, accomplishment or acclaim.

    "Newton and Einstein are two of the greats of the history of science."

  • The main division in a pipe organ, usually the loudest division.

  • (in combinations such as "two-greats", "three-greats" etc.) An instance of the word "great" signifying an additional generation in phrases expressing family relationships.

    "My three-greats grandmother."

adjective

Meaning

  • Relatively large in scale, size, extent, number (i.e. having many parts or members) or duration (i.e. relatively long); very big.

    "A great storm is approaching our shores."

  • Of larger size or more importance than others of its kind.

    "the great auk"

  • (qualifying nouns of family relationship) Involving more generations than the qualified word implies — as many extra generations as repetitions of the word great (from 1510s). [see Derived terms]

    "great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-grandfather"

  • (followed by 'with') Pregnant; large with young; full of.

    "great with child"

  • (except with 'friend' and similar words such as 'mate','buddy') Intimate; familiar.

  • Extreme or more than usual.

    "great worry"

  • Of significant importance or consequence; important.

    "a great decision"

  • (applied to actions, thoughts and feelings) Arising from or possessing idealism; admirable; superior; commanding; heroic; illustrious; eminent.

    "a great deed"

  • Impressive or striking.

    "a great show of wealth"

  • Much in use; favoured.

    "Poetry was a great convention of the Romantic era."

  • (applied to persons) Endowed with extraordinary powers; of exceptional talents or achievements; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; remarkable; strong; powerful; mighty; noble.

    "a great hero, scholar, genius, philosopher, writer etc."

  • Title referring to an important leader.

    "Alexander the Great"

  • Doing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scale; active or enthusiastic.

    "He's not a great one for reading."

  • (often followed by 'at') Skilful or adroit.

    "You are great at singing."

  • Very good; excellent; wonderful; fantastic (from 1848).

    "Dinner was great."

  • Intensifying a word or expression, used in mild oaths.

    "Great Scott!"

Synonyms

gr8,
grt

adverb

Meaning

  • Very well (in a very satisfactory manner).

    "Those mechanical colored pencils work great because they don't have to be sharpened."

interjection

Meaning

  • Expression of gladness and content about something.

    "Great! Thanks for the wonderful work."

  • Sarcastic inversion thereof.

    "Oh, great! I just dumped all 500 sheets of the manuscript all over and now I have to put them back in order."