big time

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

noun

1. informal.
   1. the big time the highest or most profitable level of an occupation or profession, esp the entertainment business
   2. ( as modifier )

      a big-time comedian

Derived Forms

• ˈbig-ˈtimer, noun

Other Words From

• big-time adjective
• big-timer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of big time¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

We have the ability to bounce back quick, and we played off that big time.

From Washington Post

Futures were seen as an easy onramp for big time investors who are already plugged into Cboe, giving them a way to get exposure to crypto through a regulated exchange.

From Quartz

He hit the big time when he started on WABC in New York in 1988.

From Time

Some of these companies have already crossed over to the big time.

From Singularity Hub 

So we are investing big time right now into the surveillance network that will very rapidly identify when and if we have a problem, and then very rapidly will create a booster that will allow us to cover this new variant as well.

From Fortune

But as her audience broadens, you have to wonder, is the big-time toxic to her art?

From The Daily Beast

She says she met Cosby, a Temple alumnus and big-time donor to the university, in November 2002.

From The Daily Beast

A lot of big-time directors have been influenced by B-movie guys like Kaufman and Roger Corman, in particular.

From The Daily Beast

As Ron Fournier is in the habit of reporting, big time Democrats have reached just about the same conclusion.

From The Daily Beast

Republicans are hitting the pipe big time on the ‘deserter’—and their creepy bottom line is that he should have been left to die.

From The Daily Beast

At least it did in Cleveland; and although they were a day late, the Clevelanders determined to have a big time.

From Project Gutenberg

Big-time Caribbean piracy had grown from very respectable origins.

From Project Gutenberg

I could name a plenty that'll stick in the big time until their toes curl.

From Project Gutenberg

Big time may mean Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and any or all the larger cities on the various "circuits."

From Project Gutenberg

Lefty's big scene at Nick's fixed it so you won't be welcome in a big-time poker game anywhere in town.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• big league