great
great definition
great (grāt)
adjective
- of much more than ordinary size, extent, volume, etc.; esp.,
- designating a thing or group of things larger than others of the same kind the great cats are tigers, lions, etc.; the Great Lakes
- large in number, quantity, etc.; numerous a great company
- long in duration a great while
- much higher in some quality or degree; much above the ordinary or average; esp.,
- existing in a high degree; intense a great light, great pain
- very much of a; acting much as (something specified) a great reader
- eminent; distinguished; illustrious; superior a great playwright
- very impressive or imposing; remarkable great ceremony
- having or showing nobility of mind, purpose, etc.; grand a great man, great ideas
- of most importance; main; chief the great seal
- Informal clever; expert; skillful: usually with at great at tennis
- ☆ Informal excellent; splendid; fine
- Now Chiefly Dial. pregnantchiefly in great with child
Etymology: ME grete < OE great, akin to Ger gross, Du groot < IE base *ghrēu-, rub hard over, crumble > grit, Welsh gro, sand: basic sense “coarse, coarsegrained”
adverb
Informal very well
noun
a great or distinguished person: usually used in pl.
great Idioms
great on
Informal enthusiastic about
the great
those who are great
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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