of great or considerable size, height, weight, number, power, or capacity
having great significance; importanta big decision
important through having power, influence, wealth, authority, etcthe big four banks
(intensifier usually qualifying something undesirable)a big dope
informal considerable in extent or intensity (esp in the phrase in a big way)
- eldermy big brother
- grown-upwhen you’re big, you can stay up later
- generous; magnanimousthat’s very big of you
- (in combination)big-hearted
(often foll by with) brimming; fullmy heart is big with sadness
extravagant; boastfulhe’s full of big talk
(of wine) full-bodied, with a strong aroma and flavour
too big for one’s boots or too big for one’s breeches conceited; unduly self-confident
in an advanced stage of pregnancy (esp in the phrase big with child)
big on informal enthusiastic aboutthat company is big on research
