1
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 time
It 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
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
11
: full of emotion
great with anger
plural great or greats
: an outstandingly superior or skillful person
a tribute to the greats of baseball
Synonyms
Examples of great in a Sentence
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!
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2024
And, because Taiwan is also the only functioning liberal democracy in the Chinese-speaking world (Singapore is an illiberal democracy), crushing Taiwan’s system of government would be a huge blow to democrats, greater even than the crackdown in Hong Kong.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2024
As part of the selfie clip, which featured three different snapshots, the retired NBA great threw up a peace sign, and Kaavia munched on a bag of Cheetos.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 10 June 2024
Gathered from the archives of the American Film Institute and almost 3,000 interviews, this oral history is a veritable who's who of Hollywood greats.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for great 
Adjective
The term, in the biblical sense, connotes an awe and respect of a greater, not entirely knowable power that puts humanity in its proper place.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2024
And, because Taiwan is also the only functioning liberal democracy in the Chinese-speaking world (Singapore is an illiberal democracy), crushing Taiwan’s system of government would be a huge blow to democrats, greater even than the crackdown in Hong Kong.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
Adverb
So far, Magic Erasers have worked great in keeping them clean between washes.
—Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2024
As part of the selfie clip, which featured three different snapshots, the retired NBA great threw up a peace sign, and Kaavia munched on a bag of Cheetos.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Noun
Jean-Philippe Allard, a French record executive and producer who helped revive the careers of jazz greats who had been all but forgotten in the United States, and who earned a reputation for uncommonly fierce advocacy on behalf of musicians, died on May 17 in Paris.
—Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 10 June 2024
Gathered from the archives of the American Film Institute and almost 3,000 interviews, this oral history is a veritable who's who of Hollywood greats.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for great
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'great.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Great.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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