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Big Apple

British  

noun

  1. informal New York City

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Big Apple

C20: probably from US jazzmen's earlier use to mean any big, esp northern, city; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are plenty of fantasies that feel-good television shows set in the Big Apple sell.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026

The Knicks have a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of seven series against the San Antonio Spurs, and now the action shifts to the Big Apple for games three and four.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

More than 100,000 people fled the Big Apple last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

So fans in the Big Apple needed a big draft.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Roxbury is old news, compared to the energy and excitement radiating from the Big Apple.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

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