a person who has achieved importance or distinction in a field: She is one of the theater's greats.
great persons, collectively: England's literary great.
(often initial capital letter)greats, (used with a singular verb)Also called great go. BritishInformal.
the final examination for the bachelor's degree in the classics and mathematics, or Literae Humaniores, especially at Oxford University and usually for honors.
the course of study.
the subject studied.
interjection
(used to express acceptance, appreciation, approval, admiration, etc.).
(used ironically or facetiously to express disappointment, annoyance, distress, etc.): Great! We just missed the last train home.
Idioms for great
great with child, being in the late stages of pregnancy.
Origin of great
First recorded before 900; Middle English greet, Old English grēat; cognate with Dutch groot, German gross
1. Great,big,large refer to size, extent, and degree. In reference to the size and extent of concrete objects, big is the most general and most colloquial word, large is somewhat more formal, and great is highly formal and even poetic, suggesting also that the object is notable or imposing: a big tree; a large tree; a great oak; a big field; a large field; great plains. When the reference is to degree or a quality, great is the usual word: great beauty; great mistake; great surprise; although big sometimes alternates with it in colloquial style: a big mistake; a big surprise;large is not used in reference to degree, but may be used in a quantitative reference: a large number ( great number ).
Along with Noma chef René Redzepi, Puglisi is a groundbreaking chef of new Nordic Cuisine, which turned Copenhagen into one of the world’s greatest dining destinations.
Christian Puglisi Is Closing His Influential Copenhagen Restaurants. COVID Is Only Partly to Blame|Rafael Tonon|September 17, 2020|Eater
There's also an influx of counterfeit cheaper whiskies seeping into the markets, which could pose an even greater challenge, albeit less of a headline-grabbing one.
It’s now possible to detect counterfeit whisky without opening the bottle|Jennifer Ouellette|September 17, 2020|Ars Technica
In 2012, 85 percent of Republicans and 66 percent of Democrats said the United States was the greatest nation.
Poll: Sharp partisan differences now exist on foreign policy, views of American exceptionalism|Dan Balz, Scott Clement|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
“China is a great nation, and we should hope for the continued expansion.”
Trump’s most popular YouTube ad is a stew of manipulated video|Glenn Kessler, Meg Kelly|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Florida’s way down, Texas is now way down, Arizona, governor’s done a great job.
Timeline: The 124 times Trump has downplayed the coronavirus threat|Aaron Blake, JM Rieger|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Tend to your own garden, to quote the great sage of free speech, Voltaire, and invite people to follow your example.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It would became one of the first great mysteries in the United States of America, as it was only then 23 years old.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, this is more about protecting the legacy of a ‘great man.’
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Great American leaders have long contributed profound thoughts of tremendous consequence to the public discourse.
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“He turned pale, trembled to a great degree, was much agitated, and began to cry,” she told the court.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
You have great influence with the children, I have remarked many times.
Rossmoyne|Unknown
The Great Man is, I suppose, among the most difficult themes to treat convincingly in fiction.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 156, May 7, 1919.|Various
His arms were growing heavy with fatigue, his mouth was parched, and great beads of perspiration stood upon his brow.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
In the porch he paused a moment, to draw on his woollen gloves, and button his great coat, and for something besides.
Gifts of Genius|Various
It was a hope which came from something one of the great poets of the past had said, in prophecy.
How to Tell Stories to Children|Sara Cone Bryant
British Dictionary definitions for great (1 of 2)
great
/ (ɡreɪt) /
adjective
relatively large in size or extent; big
relatively large in number; having many parts or membersa great assembly
of relatively long durationa great wait
of larger size or more importance than others of its kindthe great auk
extreme or more than usualgreat worry
of significant importance or consequencea great decision
of exceptional talents or achievements; remarkablea great writer
(as noun)the great; one of the greats
arising from or possessing idealism in thought, action, etc; heroicgreat deeds
illustrious or eminenta great history
impressive or strikinga great show of wealth
much in use; favouredpoetry was a great convention of the Romantic era
active or enthusiastica great walker
doing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scalewhat a great buffoon; he's not a great one for reading
(often foll by at)skilful or adroita great carpenter; you are great at singing
informalexcellent; fantastic
Britishinformal(intensifier)a dirty great smack in the face
(postpositive foll by with) archaic
pregnantgreat with child
full (of)great with hope
(intensifier, used in mild oaths)Great Scott!
be great oninformal
to be informed about
to be enthusiastic about or for
adverb
informalvery well; excellentlyit was working great
noun
Also called: great organthe principal manual on an organCompare choir (def. 4), swell (def. 16)
Derived forms of great
greatly, adverbgreatness, noun
Word Origin for great
Old English grēat; related to Old Frisian grāt, Old High German grōz; see grit, groat
British Dictionary definitions for great (2 of 2)
great-
prefix
being the parent of a person's grandparent (in the combinations great-grandfather, great-grandmother, great-grandparent)
being the child of a person's grandchild (in the combinations great-grandson, great-granddaughter, great-grandchild)
The Most Insincere Compliments And What To Say InsteadTime to move away from "great job" and "very nice" and elevate your compliments with these synonyms for some of the most overused words of praise out there.