large

American  

[lahrj] / lɑrdʒ /

adjective

larger, largest

1. of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.; exceeding that which is common to a kind or class; big; great.

   a large house; a large number; in large measure; to a large extent.

   Synonyms:

   vast, massive, colossal, gigantic, immense, enormous, huge

   Antonyms:

   small

2. on a great scale.

   a large producer of kitchen equipment.

3. of great scope or range; extensive; broad.

4. grand or pompous.

   a man given to large, bombastic talk.

5. (of a map, model, etc.) representing the features of the original with features of its own that are relatively large so that great detail may be shown.

6. famous; successful; important.

   He's very large in financial circles.

7. Obsolete. generous; bountiful; lavish.

8. Obsolete.

   1. unrestrained in the use of language; gross; improper.

   2. unrestrained in behavior or manner; uninhibited.

9. Nautical. free.

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noun

1. Music. the longest note in mensural notation.

2. Obsolete. generosity; bounty.

adverb

1. Nautical. with the wind free or abaft the beam so that all sails draw fully.

idioms

1. at large,

   1. free from restraint or confinement; at liberty.

      The murderer is still at large.

   2. to a considerable extent; at length.

      to treat a subject at large.

   3. as a whole; in general.

      the country at large.

   4. Also at-large representing the whole of a state, district, or body rather than one division or part of it.

      a delegate at large.

   5. Also at-large having a general, as opposed to a specific, role in an organization or project.

      She’s the magazine’s editor-at-large.

2. in large, on a large scale; from a broad point of view: Also in the large

   a problem seen in large.

large British  

/ lɑːdʒ /

adjective

1. having a relatively great size, quantity, extent, etc; big

2. of wide or broad scope, capacity, or range; comprehensive

   a large effect

3. having or showing great breadth of understanding

   a large heart

4. nautical (of the wind) blowing from a favourable direction

5. rare overblown; pretentious

6. generous

7. obsolete (of manners and speech) gross; rude

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noun

1. 1. (esp of a dangerous criminal or wild animal) free; not confined

   2. roaming freely, as in a foreign country

   3. as a whole; in general

   4. in full detail; exhaustively

   5. See ambassador

2. as a totality or on a broad scale

adverb

1. nautical with the wind blowing from a favourable direction

2. 1. (sentence modifier) generally; as a rule

      by and large, the man is the breadwinner

   2. nautical towards and away from the wind

3. to be very prominent or important

large More Idioms  

1. see at large; big (large) as life; by and large; cog in the (a large) wheel; in some (large) measure; loom large; writ large.

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Usage

What are other ways to say large?

Something that is large is of more than average size, quantity, or degree. How does large compare to great and big? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

• largeness noun
• overlarge adjective
• ultralarge adjective
• unlarge adjective

Etymology

Origin of large

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin larga, feminine of largus “ample, generous”

Example Sentences

They added only one notable appliance to their kitchen: a giant pot for rice, large enough to meal-prep a week’s worth of carbs in one batch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Conscious that his status as a member of the metropolitan elite may make him less likely to appeal to rural voters, Magyar has toured the countryside indefatigably for the past two years, drawing large crowds.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

SBA could be an attractive target for a takeover due to a combination of its large infrastructure portfolio, recent stock underperformance, and the long-term growth potential of 5G infrastructure and AI.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Fire officials requested mandatory evacuations for a large area north of Ramona Expressway and east of Lake Perris on Friday afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Glancing up, he saw with a start that his fingers were a hair’s breadth away from a large splayed hand that had been hammer-etched deep into the stone.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• broad
• considerable
• enormous
• extensive
• full
• generous
• giant
• gigantic
• grand
• great
• hefty
• huge
• immense
• massive
• populous
• sizable
• spacious
• substantial
• vast
• wide