big time

American  

noun

1. Informal. the highest or most important level in any profession or occupation.

   She's a talented violinist, but she's not ready for the big time.

2. Slang. a very good time.

3. Theater. (in vaudeville) any highly successful circuit of theaters that produces two performances daily.

---

big time British  

noun

1. informal

   1. the highest or most profitable level of an occupation or profession, esp the entertainment business

   2. ( as modifier )

      a big-time comedian

---

big time Idioms  

1. An enjoyable or exciting time, as in The children came home exhausted but happy; they really had a big time at the circus . [Mid-1800s]

2. The highest or most important level in any enterprise, as in I knew that when I made it through the last audition, I was finally in the big time . [ Colloquial ; c. 1900] Also see big league .

---

Other Word Forms

• big-time adjective
• big-timer noun

Etymology

Origin of big time

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

"Was I distracted big time? No," the world number 11 said.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

AI technology can "benefit farmers big time", helping them save money by buying fertiliser better targeted to their soil type, Gupta said.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

And when you look there, you’ll see that Jerome Powell and the Fed have cut rates — big time.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

While we wait for that brilliant idea to make it to the NFL’s offices, here are the big game ads we loved the most and a few that fumbled the ball — big time.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

They had a big time till one man come in who thought he was bad.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Related Words

• big league