big-time
1 of 3adjective
ˈbig-ˌtīm 
: relating to or involved in the big time
big-time sports
also : major sense 4
big-time operators
big-time
2 of 3adverb
: in a major or large-scale way
the new show bombed big-time
also : to a great extent or degree
owes me big-time
big time
3 of 3noun
-ˌtīm
1
: a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
2
: the top rank of an activity or enterprise
big-timer
ˈbig-ˌtī-mər
noun 
Synonyms
Adverb
- astronomically
- broadly
- colossally
- considerably
- enormously
- extensively
- greatly
- highly
- hugely
- largely
- massively
- monstrously
- monumentally
- much
- sizably
- staggeringly
- stupendously
- tremendously
- utterly
- vastly
Noun
- big(s)
- big league(s)
- major league
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling
Recent Examples on the Web
Xl Media, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 The character who benefits most from the big time jump is Otto’s daughter Alicent. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2022 The chuckle revealed how much France, a first-time All-Star, cherished his time with the Padres, despite all the things blocking his shot at hitting his way into baseball’s big time. Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2022 The next scene is our first big time jump—around four or so years later. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2022 Will the festival book a big time comedian for the Amphitheater again? Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2022 Rarely do institutions have the luxury of hiring a leader with a backgound in big time college sports. Karen Weaver, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 Big Time Rush is in the midst of a big time comeback. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2022 Big Time Rush, known for their Nickelodeon show that debuted 13 years ago, is back in a big time way! Dan Heching, PEOPLE.com, 21 Feb. 2022 See More
Noun
Week 0 of the college football season is set for this weekend, which will serve as an appetizer of sorts for the big time action to come in Week 1. Xl Media, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 The character who benefits most from the big time jump is Otto’s daughter Alicent. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2022 The chuckle revealed how much France, a first-time All-Star, cherished his time with the Padres, despite all the things blocking his shot at hitting his way into baseball’s big time. Bryce Millercolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2022 The next scene is our first big time jump—around four or so years later. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2022 Will the festival book a big time comedian for the Amphitheater again? Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2022 Rarely do institutions have the luxury of hiring a leader with a backgound in big time college sports. Karen Weaver, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2022 Big Time Rush is in the midst of a big time comeback. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2022 Big Time Rush, known for their Nickelodeon show that debuted 13 years ago, is back in a big time way! Dan Heching, PEOPLE.com, 21 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1910, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
1957, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1910, in the meaning defined at sense 2
big-timer
noun
as in big
one of high position or importance within a group a field in which one can go from being a big-timer to a small-timer in practically no time at all Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- big
- heavy
- heavyweight
- heavy hitter
- big gun
- big wheel
- big boy
- big shot
- major leaguer
- big leaguer
- big cheese
- lion
- fat cat
- poo-bah
- magnate
- king
- queen
- biggie
- tycoon
- prince
- bigfoot
- wheel
- baron
- nawab
- muck-a-muck
- bigwig
- nob
- kingfish
- kahuna
- nibs
- nabob
- high-muckety-muck
- kingpin
- princess
- honcho
- czar
- high-muck-a-muck
- mucky-muck
- pooh-bah
- mogul
- muckety-muck
- tsar
- tzar
- VIP
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nothing
- lightweight
- nobody
- zero
- shrimp
- subordinate
- inferior
- nonentity
- twerp
- whippersnapper
- zilch
- mediocrity
- underling
- obscurity