large

[ lahrj ]

adjective

, larg·er, larg·est.

1. 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.

   Synonyms: massive, colossal, gigantic, immense, enormous, huge, vast

   Antonyms: small

2. on a great scale:

   a large producer of kitchen equipment.

3. of great scope or range; extensive; broad.
4. grand or pompous:

   a man given to large, bombastic talk.

5. (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.
6. famous; successful; important:

   He's very large in financial circles.

7. Obsolete. generous; bountiful; lavish.
8. Obsolete.
   1. unrestrained in the use of language; gross; improper.
   2. unrestrained in behavior or manner; uninhibited.
9. Nautical. free ( def 33 ).

noun

1. Music. the longest note in mensural notation.
2. Obsolete. generosity; bounty.

adverb

1. Nautical. with the wind free or abaft the beam so that all sails draw fully.

large

/ lɑːdʒ /

adjective

1. having a relatively great size, quantity, extent, etc; big
2. of wide or broad scope, capacity, or range; comprehensive

   a large effect

3. having or showing great breadth of understanding

   a large heart

4. nautical (of the wind) blowing from a favourable direction
5. rare.
   overblown; pretentious
6. generous
7. obsolete.
   (of manners and speech) gross; rude

noun

1. at large
   1. (esp of a dangerous criminal or wild animal) free; not confined
   2. roaming freely, as in a foreign country
   3. as a whole; in general
   4. in full detail; exhaustively
   5. See ambassador
2. in large or in the large
   as a totality or on a broad scale

adverb

1. nautical with the wind blowing from a favourable direction
2. by and large
   1. sentence modifier generally; as a rule

      by and large, the man is the breadwinner

   2. nautical towards and away from the wind
3. loom large
   to be very prominent or important

Derived Forms

• ˈlargeness, noun

Other Words From

• large·ness noun
• o·ver·large adjective
• ul·tra·large adjective
• un·large adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of large¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin larga, feminine of largus “ample, generous”

Word History and Origins

Origin of large¹

C12 (originally: generous): via Old French from Latin largus ample, abundant

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at large,
   1. free from restraint or confinement; at liberty:

      The murderer is still at large.

   2. to a considerable extent; at length:

      to treat a subject at large.

   3. as a whole; in general:

      the country at large.

   4. Also at-large. representing the whole of a state, district, or body rather than one division or part of it:

      a delegate at large.

   5. 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.

2. in large, on a large scale; from a broad point of view: Also in the large.

   a problem seen in large.

More idioms and phrases containing large

see at large ; big (large) as life ; by and large ; cog in the (a large) wheel ; in some (large) measure ; loom large ; writ large .

Example Sentences

The benefits would be even larger if we reduced sugar consumption even further.

From Salon

Prosecutors described it as one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history.

From Salon

The Associated Press reported that the funeral location was not made public in advance to prevent a large crowd from gathering.

From Los Angeles Times

La Niña seasons typically produce large numbers of atmospheric rivers, or narrow bands of concentrated water vapor in the sky that act like rivers in the sky.

From Salon

A cordon has been put up around the area - close to the M61- and there is a large emergency services presence at the scene.

From BBC

Related Words

• broad
• considerable
• enormous
• extensive
• full
• generous
• giant
• gigantic
• grand
• great
• hefty
• huge
• immense
• massive
• populous
• sizable
• spacious
• substantial
• vast
• wide

When To Use

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.