big name

¹

noun

1. a person who has a preeminent public reputation in a specified field.

   He's a big name in education.

big-name

²

[big-neym]

adjective

1. having a widespread public reputation as a leader in a specified field; famous.

   a big-name doctor; a big-name actress.

2. of, relating to, or composed of a big-name person or persons.

big name

noun

1. informal

   1. a famous person

   2. ( as modifier )

      a big-name performer

Word History and Origins

Origin of big name¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Origin of big name²

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30