great
1 of 3adjective
ˈgrāt 
Southern also ˈgre(ə)t
1
a
: notably large in size : huge
all creatures great and small
b
: of a kind characterized by relative largeness —used in plant and animal names
the great horned owl
c
: elaborate, ample
great detail
2
a
: large in number or measure : numerous
great multitudes
b
: predominant
the great majority
3
: remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness
great bloodshed
4
—used as a generalized term of approval
had a great timeIt was just great.
5
a
: eminent, distinguished
a great poet
b
: aristocratic, grand
great ladies
c
: chief or preeminent over others —often used in titles
Lord Great Chamberlain
6
: markedly superior in character or quality
especially : noble
great of soul
7
a
: remarkably skilled
great at tennis
b
: marked by enthusiasm : keen
great on science fiction
8
: more remote in a family relationship by a single generation than a specified relative
great-grandfather
9
: long continued
a great while
10
: principal, main
a reception in the great hall
11
: full of emotion
great with anger
great
2 of 3adverb
: in a great manner : well
Things are going great.
great
3 of 3noun
plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
a tribute to the greats of baseball
Synonyms
Adjective
- accomplished
- ace
- adept
- compleat
- complete
- consummate
- crack
- crackerjack
- educated
- experienced
- expert
- good
- master
- masterful
- masterly
- practiced
- practised
- professed
- proficient
- skilled
- skillful
- versed
- veteran
- virtuoso
Adverb
- agreeably
- charmingly
- delectably
- deliciously
- delightfully
- dreamily
- enchantingly
- enjoyably
- favorably
- felicitously
- fetchingly
- gloriously
- gratifyingly
- nicely
- palatably
- pleasantly
- pleasingly
- pleasurably
- prettily
- satisfyingly
- splendidly
- sweetly
- swimmingly
- welcomely
- well
- winningly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective all creatures great and small The project will require a great amount of time and money. The building was restored at great expense. a great quantity of fish The low cost of these products gives them great appeal. There is a very great need for reform. They're in no great hurry to finish. There is a great demand for his services. an actress of great charm Is there any love greater than that between parent and child? Adverb We had some problems at first, but now things are going just great. Keep up the good work. You're doing great! See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Regina Cole, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 There was a great deal of typing, finishing, and then stashing away the results. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2023 There remains a great deal of pride in these ships among those who work on and around them, as was apparent during a visit last month to the Mayport base near Jacksonville. —Eric Lipton, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2023 After what one imagines was a great deal of humming and hawing, it is decided that this is a most agreeable tipple and deserves a name. —Jason O'bryan, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2023 Waithe has had a great deal of success at the film festival over the years. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Feb. 2023 Due to the nature of inventory cleanout, sizes and color options may be limited, so don't wait to make a move on a great deal. —Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 These bouts, which have persisted into my 30s, have left me with a great deal of insecurity about my bare skin. —Jessica Ourisman, Allure, 2 Feb. 2023 The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Love a great deal? —Cassie Shortsleeve, Travel + Leisure, 2 Feb. 2023 Beau River, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2021 Then time got away, the show was doing great, the Emmys, and all of that. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2022 Thompson was doing great at the very top of the night, sporting a top hat and tails and dropping some sick burns on his fellow TV lovers. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2022 Now in those businesses doing great, but the markets are not doing so hot. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2022 Bibi and the calf have been doing great, Gorsuch said, and will continue to be inside for another week or two. —Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2022 Zach Wilson was benched for Chris Streveler, who didn’t play great and still looked leaps and bounds better than Wilson. —Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2022 Straight-up, the Chargers didn’t play great offensively in scoring just twice on the ground and in going four for 13 on third downs. —Jay Paris, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 The first three quarters were a true back-and forth affair, with both squads playing great in transition. —Kat Cornetta, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2022 Simon Constable, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2023 In town, the Olympic great's pink-marble mausoleum lures few tourists. —John Phillips, Car and Driver, 9 Jan. 2023 But the Swiss great ended his career last month because of a persistent knee injury. —Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2022 Following the news of his death, a number of stars took to social media to mourn the loss of the hip-hop great. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2022 Asakura, who usually weighs about 165 pounds, is more Mayweather’s size than the last opponent the American great met in Japan three years ago. —oregonlive, 24 Sep. 2022 In his opening statements, Vanessa's lawyer Luis Li shared the emotional impact the images have had on the NBA great's widow. —Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2022 Our coaches have done a great of challenging our players; our players are challenging themselves and each other. —Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 25 Mar. 2022 The good as well as the great can earn rings alike, and these Giants are more than merely good. —Christina Kahrl, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Sep. 2021 See More
Adjective
The three-story brick townhouse saw a great deal of activity: while the second floor of his home housed Woodson’s office and library, the basement served as a make-shift archives. —Regina Cole, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 There was a great deal of typing, finishing, and then stashing away the results. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2023 There remains a great deal of pride in these ships among those who work on and around them, as was apparent during a visit last month to the Mayport base near Jacksonville. —Eric Lipton, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2023 After what one imagines was a great deal of humming and hawing, it is decided that this is a most agreeable tipple and deserves a name. —Jason O'bryan, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2023 Waithe has had a great deal of success at the film festival over the years. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 Feb. 2023 Due to the nature of inventory cleanout, sizes and color options may be limited, so don't wait to make a move on a great deal. —Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 These bouts, which have persisted into my 30s, have left me with a great deal of insecurity about my bare skin. —Jessica Ourisman, Allure, 2 Feb. 2023 The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers Love a great deal? —Cassie Shortsleeve, Travel + Leisure, 2 Feb. 2023 Adverb
Some investors left, and then very quickly, a bunch came back, and the stock did great over the next decade. —Beau River, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2021 Then time got away, the show was doing great, the Emmys, and all of that. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2022 Thompson was doing great at the very top of the night, sporting a top hat and tails and dropping some sick burns on his fellow TV lovers. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2022 Now in those businesses doing great, but the markets are not doing so hot. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2022 Bibi and the calf have been doing great, Gorsuch said, and will continue to be inside for another week or two. —Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2022 Zach Wilson was benched for Chris Streveler, who didn’t play great and still looked leaps and bounds better than Wilson. —Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 27 Dec. 2022 Straight-up, the Chargers didn’t play great offensively in scoring just twice on the ground and in going four for 13 on third downs. —Jay Paris, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022 The first three quarters were a true back-and forth affair, with both squads playing great in transition. —Kat Cornetta, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2022 Noun
While Biden is doing a great of pursuing a weird energy policy, Sunak isn't far behind. —Simon Constable, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2023 In town, the Olympic great's pink-marble mausoleum lures few tourists. —John Phillips, Car and Driver, 9 Jan. 2023 But the Swiss great ended his career last month because of a persistent knee injury. —Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2022 Following the news of his death, a number of stars took to social media to mourn the loss of the hip-hop great. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2022 Asakura, who usually weighs about 165 pounds, is more Mayweather’s size than the last opponent the American great met in Japan three years ago. —oregonlive, 24 Sep. 2022 In his opening statements, Vanessa's lawyer Luis Li shared the emotional impact the images have had on the NBA great's widow. —Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2022 Our coaches have done a great of challenging our players; our players are challenging themselves and each other. —Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 25 Mar. 2022 The good as well as the great can earn rings alike, and these Giants are more than merely good. —Christina Kahrl, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Adverb, and Noun
Middle English grete, from Old English grēat; akin to Old High German grōz large
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing great
Kids Definition
great
1 of 3 adjective ˈgrāt
in South also ˈgre(ə)t
1
: large in size : not small or little
2
: large in number : numerous
a great crowd
3
: long continued
a great while
4
: beyond the average or ordinary
a great weight
in great pain
5
: distinguished, prominent
a great artist
6
: more distant in relationship by one generation
7
: superior in quality or character
8
: remarkable in skill
great at tennis
9
—used as a term of general approval
had a great time
greatly adverb
greatness noun
great
2 of 3 adverb : in a great manner : successfully, well
great
3 of 3 noun plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
the greats of baseball
great 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in good
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor one of the great anthropologists Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- good
- skillful
- experienced
- skilled
- adept
- expert
- proficient
- accomplished
- practiced
- masterful
- master
- talented
- virtuoso
- educated
- veteran
- complete
- gifted
- professed
- masterly
- crack
- ace
- consummate
- crackerjack
- compleat
- capable
- versed
- practised
- handy
- clever
- efficient
- effective
- old
- qualified
- trained
- competent
- employable
- able
- polished
- deft
- slick
- taught
- dexterous
- fit
- adroit
- fitted
- effectual
- knowledgeable
- workmanlike
- refined
- sure-handed
- all-round
- dextrous
- schooled
- tutored
- well-rounded
- all-around
- long-term
- habile
- multiskilled
- multitalented
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weak
- unable
- amateur
- incapable
- unprofessional
- amateurish
- inexperienced
- new
- unfit
- unskilled
- unqualified
- unfitted
- inept
- inexpert
- incompetent
- unskillful
- artless
- rude
- inefficient
- crude
- ineffective
- unseasoned
- ineffectual
- beginning
- ignorant
- green
- primitive
- rough
- raw
- untalented
- untutored
- jackleg
- inexperienced
- untaught
- awkward
- untrained
- untried
- unschooled
- unpolished
- clumsy
- talentless
- unseasoned
- ungifted
- untested
- would-be
- heavy-handed
- ham-fisted
- ham-handed
2
as in noble
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature a great humanitarian great acts of charity Synonyms & Similar Words
- noble
- high
- sublime
- big
- honorable
- gallant
- magnanimous
- natural
- worthy
- chivalrous
- lofty
- greathearted
- elevated
- heroic
- magnificent
- high-minded
- inspiring
- venerable
- heroical
- valiant
- lordly
- exalted
- regal
- uplifting
- glorified
- ennobled
- majestic
- moving
- numinous
- princely
- knightly
- august
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- low
- ignoble
- base
- little
- lousy
- wretched
- ugly
- abominable
- sordid
- degraded
- vile
- degenerate
- contemptible
- vicious
- debased
- detestable
- despicable
- repulsive
- hateful
- squalid
- offensive
- sorry
- dirty
- dastardly
- narrow
- mean
- ignominious
- discreditable
- humiliating
- degrading
- coarse
- vulgar
- crude
- small-minded
3
as in long
lasting for a considerable time haven't seen them in a great while Synonyms & Similar Words
- long
- lengthy
- endless
- far
- long-term
- extended
- marathon
- prolonged
- everlasting
- persistent
- permanent
- aeonian
- long-drawn-out
- long-lived
- protracted
- longish
- long-drawn
- interminable
- aeonic
- overlong
- all-day
- multiyear
- multiday
- all-night
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- little
- short
- brief
- sudden
- mini
- shortish
- abrupt
- short-term
- transient
- short-lived
- curtailed
- condensed
- momentary
- ephemeral
- fleeting
- shortened
- transitory
- abbreviated
- impermanent
- short-range
4
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind saw a great moose calmly walking through our backyard Synonyms & Similar Words
- large
- considerable
- substantial
- sizable
- big
- huge
- handsome
- tidy
- tremendous
- enormous
- excessive
- gigantic
- massive
- vast
- staggering
- colossal
- oversize
- goodly
- voluminous
- bulky
- immense
- oversized
- largish
- sizeable
- spacious
- hefty
- extravagant
- stupendous
- grand
- outsize
- ample
- outsized
- major
- astronomical
- husky
- super
- biggish
- plentiful
- hulking
- boxcar
- appreciable
- prodigious
- mammoth
- cosmic
- humongous
- monumental
- mountainous
- heroic
- gargantuan
- titanic
- extreme
- abundant
- heroical
- monstrous
- whopping
- galactic
- vasty
- astronomic
- exorbitant
- inordinate
- herculean
- monolithic
- whacking
- copious
- cavernous
- gross
- humungous
- bumper
- jumbo
- leviathan
- cosmical
- thick
- cyclopean
- pharaonic
- elephantine
- walloping
- immoderate
- hellacious
- super-duper
- supersized
- roomy
- commodious
- king-sized
- Brobdingnagian
- Bunyanesque
- capacious
- Himalayan
- king-size
- fat
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- small
- little
- smallish
- puny
- dinky
- tiny
- little bitty
- dwarf
- undersized
- dwarfish
- diminutive
- minuscule
- shrimpy
- wee
- undersize
- mini
- bantam
- microscopical
- miniature
- microscopic
- infinitesimal
- slight
- teeny
- minute
- teensy
- pygmy
- slender
- thin
- slim
- petite
- microminiature
- pocket-sized
- pint-sized
- teeny-weeny
- teensy-weensy
- pocket-size
- pint-size
- Lilliputian
- half-pint
5
as in excellent
of the very best kind this cake is great! Synonyms & Similar Words
- excellent
- wonderful
- terrific
- awesome
- fantastic
- superb
- lovely
- beautiful
- fabulous
- marvelous
- stellar
- fine
- prime
- marvellous
- hot
- quality
- neat
- cool
- classic
- famous
- good
- heavenly
- splendid
- exceptional
- immense
- divine
- fab
- sensational
- brave
- choice
- superior
- top
- superlative
- nifty
- decent
- grand
- slick
- cracking
- unsurpassed
- dynamite
- noble
- swell
- dandy
- better
- keen
- sterling
- prize
- topping
- capital
- groovy
- fantabulous
- too much
- mean
- par excellence
- banner
- special
- brag
- peachy
- primo
- radical
- crackerjack
- gangbusters
- gone
- top-notch
- boffo
- dope
- hype
- frontline
- righteous
- bumper
- supernal
- first-rate
- number one
- prizewinning
- gangbuster
- corking
- topflight
- adequate
- bully
- boss
- peachy keen
- high-class
- first-class
- down
- wizard
- acceptable
- bonny
- satisfactory
- bang-up
- tip-top
- numero uno
- A-OK
- top-shelf
- jim-dandy
- phat
- top-of-the-line
- classical
- out of this world
- traditional
- five-star
- tolerable
- blue-chip
- all right
- gilt-edge
- out-of-sight
- bonnie
- four-star
- blue-ribbon
- premium
- first-string
- fancy
- gilt-edged
- passable
- No. 1
- A1
- okay
- standard
- select
- superfine
- OK
- high-grade
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- terrible
- poor
- awful
- lousy
- bad
- atrocious
- pathetic
- wretched
- rotten
- vile
- execrable
- unsatisfactory
- inferior
- substandard
- mediocre
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class
6
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest she's great on any type of sport that requires endurance Synonyms & Similar Words
- excited
- enthusiastic
- avid
- eager
- keen
- anxious
- happy
- hungry
- crazy
- ardent
- interested
- enthused
- desirous
- ready
- stoked
- solicitous
- pumped
- nuts
- hot
- greedy
- impatient
- voracious
- thirsty
- wild
- gung ho
- willing
- raring
- glad
- geeked
- chomping at the bit
- champing at the bit
- hepped up
- antsy
- athirst
- agog
- longing
- obsessed
- juiced
- ambitious
- engaged
- craving
- game
- hopped-up
- hung up
- covetous
- hankering
- amenable
- restless
- unreluctant
- pining
- appetent
- breathless
- restive
- disposed
- inclined
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indifferent
- casual
- unenthusiastic
- apathetic
- unconcerned
- uninterested
- disinterested
- nonchalant
- detached
- insouciant
- aloof
- reluctant
- incurious
- stolid
- lukewarm
- unwilling
- hesitant
- impassive
- lackadaisical
- languid
- halfhearted
- loath
- averse
- uneager
- spiritless
- languorous
- loathe
- loth
- disinclined
7
as in greatest
coming before all others in importance regards global warming as the great issue of the day Synonyms & Similar Words
- greatest
- main
- highest
- big
- predominant
- primary
- foremost
- dominant
- first
- leading
- supreme
- key
- central
- chief
- principal
- paramount
- outstanding
- cardinal
- master
- overriding
- premier
- prior
- capital
- primal
- preeminent
- major
- distinguished
- important
- notable
- noteworthy
- sovereign
- stellar
- overbearing
- number one
- grand
- top
- arch
- eminent
- superior
- illustrious
- overmastering
- unparalleled
- sovran
- prestigious
- mighty
- influential
- matchless
- No. 1
- senior
- significant
- signal
- momentous
- incomparable
- star
- noble
- numero uno
- famous
- unsurpassed
- renowned
- celebrated
- unequalled
- unequaled
- high-level
- famed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- last
- least
- minor
- slight
- negligible
- trivial
- insignificant
- unimportant
- secondary
- inconsiderable
- inferior
- trifling
- inconsequential
- subordinate
- collateral
- subsidiary
8
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station a descendant of one of the great families of Philadelphia Synonyms & Similar Words
- aristocratic
- noble
- gentle
- grand
- royal
- superior
- patrician
- high
- genteel
- highborn
- highbred
- wellborn
- upper-class
- upper-crust
- lofty
- blue-blooded
- exalted
- gentlemanly
- senior
- regal
- silk-stocking
- ennobled
- elevated
- ladylike
- high-level
- queenly
- kingly
- princely
- knightly
- lordly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- common
- low
- humble
- mean
- ignoble
- plebeian
- lowly
- inferior
- ordinary
- ungenteel
- knavish
- illegitimate
- nonaristocratic
- bastard
- plain
- lower-class
- baseborn
- degraded
- junior
- subordinate
- abased
great
2 of 2adverb
as in nicely
in a pleasing way the game was going great for the home team Synonyms & Similar Words
- nicely
- well
- deliciously
- delightfully
- wonderfully
- beautifully
- finely
- enjoyably
- splendidly
- excellently
- favorably
- happily
- gloriously
- pleasantly
- satisfyingly
- agreeably
- sweetly
- gratifyingly
- pleasingly
- prettily
- charmingly
- enchantingly
- pleasurably
- dreamily
- felicitously
- magnificently
- welcomely
- marvelously
- winningly
- superbly
- swimmingly
- delectably
- fortunately
- luckily
- handsomely
- fetchingly
- grandly
- palatably
- blessedly
- advantageously
- helpfully
- attractively
- sensationally
- appealingly
- temptingly
- enticingly
- appetizingly
- invitingly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- badly
- ill
- awfully
- terribly
- unpleasantly
- dreadfully
- horribly
- disagreeably
- shockingly
- appallingly
- sickeningly
- abominably
- horrendously
- vilely
- horridly
- disgustingly
- annoyingly
- distressingly
- irritatingly
- vexingly