having a widespread public reputation as a leader in a specified field; famous.
a big-name doctor; a big-name actress.
of, relating to, or composed of a big-name person or persons.
An Americanism dating back to 1930–35
An Americanism dating back to 1925–30
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Heron Power, a start-up focused on making solid-state transformers for data centers, has been raising money at a fast clip from big name investors.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
The easy thing then would have been to play it safe and hire a big name from the glittering ranks of unemployed managers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
To use as bargaining chips for either a big name like the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo or, better yet, to acquire important foundational pieces to retrofit the roster around Luka Doncic?
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
In a field dominated by big name brands, consumers may be surprised to learn how many family-owned soft drinks firms remain in the US.
From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026
They march to the border of Grosse Pointe with his big name and his face on big posters, and they shout, “I am Kasim Anderson!”
From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
