large
Americanadjective
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larger,
comparative
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largest
superlative
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of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.; exceeding that which is common to a kind or class; big; great.
a large house; a large number; in large measure; to a large extent.
- Antonyms:
- small
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on a great scale.
a large producer of kitchen equipment.
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of great scope or range; extensive; broad.
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grand or pompous.
a man given to large, bombastic talk.
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(of a map, model, etc.) representing the features of the original with features of its own that are relatively large so that great detail may be shown.
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famous; successful; important.
He's very large in financial circles.
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Obsolete. generous; bountiful; lavish.
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Obsolete.
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unrestrained in the use of language; gross; improper.
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unrestrained in behavior or manner; uninhibited.
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Nautical. free.
noun
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Music. the longest note in mensural notation.
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Obsolete. generosity; bounty.
adverb
idioms
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at large,
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free from restraint or confinement; at liberty.
The murderer is still at large.
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to a considerable extent; at length.
to treat a subject at large.
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as a whole; in general.
the country at large.
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Also at-large representing the whole of a state, district, or body rather than one division or part of it.
a delegate at large.
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Also at-large having a general, as opposed to a specific, role in an organization or project.
She’s the magazine’s editor-at-large.
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in large, on a large scale; from a broad point of view: Also in the large
a problem seen in large.
adjective
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having a relatively great size, quantity, extent, etc; big
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of wide or broad scope, capacity, or range; comprehensive
a large effect
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having or showing great breadth of understanding
a large heart
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nautical (of the wind) blowing from a favourable direction
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rare overblown; pretentious
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generous
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obsolete (of manners and speech) gross; rude
noun
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(esp of a dangerous criminal or wild animal) free; not confined
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roaming freely, as in a foreign country
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as a whole; in general
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in full detail; exhaustively
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See ambassador
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as a totality or on a broad scale
adverb
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nautical with the wind blowing from a favourable direction
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(sentence modifier) generally; as a rule
by and large, the man is the breadwinner
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nautical towards and away from the wind
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to be very prominent or important
Usage
What are other ways to say large?
Something that is large is of more than average size, quantity, or degree. How does large compare to great and big? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of large
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin larga, feminine of largus “ample, generous”
Explanation
Large means the size of an item, such as clothing, that falls between medium and extra-large. If you realize your size has changed from medium to large, it might be time to cut back on the cupcakes. Something that is above average in size or number can be described with the adjective large. Your large collection of bottle caps, which covers the walls of three rooms in your house, is a perfect example. Large also describes something that covers a broad spectrum or scope. You might love being an American studies major because your classes cover a large range of topics.
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.
See Examples For:
“We’ve all hit a wall. We’ve pretty much seen a very large stalling of activity,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
As a large turtle lumbered across the island's sands on Wednesday, tourism operator Famau said his sector supports 90 percent of the island.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
Grip strength can also help predict who may develop frailty, which is a large risk for falling down and having difficulties with everyday activities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
The show is arranged in eight parts and begins with a large white wall at the entrance with the title of the show scrawled in RM’s handwriting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
He couldn’t see Fin-Kedinn, but a little apart from the others, the Mage crouched in the dust, watching a large glossy raven.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
On larger missions involving several dozen drones, the Ukrainians might use several launch sites.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
The agreement, known as a consent decree, also stipulates that Paramount won’t sell or close its Melrose Avenue campus in Hollywood or the larger Warner Bros. lot in Burbank.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
"The local people, they are still scared of what might happen. The military presence here in the town has remained and a larger military force has been seen leaving the town heading north," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
“We recommend saving up for a larger down payment, as much as possible, for as long as possible.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
Some of the larger animals remained, for now.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
Spanning nine colleges, the district is the largest in the state and one of the biggest in the nation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
The world's largest jewellery brand showed off bracelet charms featuring Vietnam's national flag and a bowl of pho noodle soup as it opened a manufacturing centre in the country on Thursday, its first outside Thailand.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
The country makes up more than a third of global folding smartphone sales and is the largest single market for foldables, according to research firm Counterpoint Research.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Perhaps the only seemingly negative news on Wednesday was a surge in the U.S. trade deficit in goods in August to $133 billion, the fourth largest on record.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
“Admiral, you ride Mama Woof. She is the largest and strongest, and will be able to carry you with ease.”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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.
