great

Universal Words adjective, noun, adverb adjective (greater, greatest) large 1 [usuallybeforenoun] very large; much bigger than average in size or quantity: A great crowd had gathered. * People were arriving in great numbers. * The great majority of (= most) people seem to agree with this view. * He must have fallen from a great height. * She lived to a great age. 2 [onlybeforenoun] (informal) used to emphasize an adjective of size or quality: There was a great big pile of books on the table. * He cut himself a great thick slice of cake. 3 much more than average in degree or quantity: a matter of great importance * The concert had been a great success. * Her death was a great shock to us all. * It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today. * Take great care of it. * You've been a great help. * We are all to a great extent the products of our culture. -< BIG admired 4 extremely good in ability or quality and therefore admired by many people: He has been described as the world's greatest violinist. * Sherlock Holmes, the great detective * Great art has the power to change lives. * This represents a great achievement. pleasant 5 (informal) very good or pleasant: He's a great bloke. * It's great to see you again. * What a great goal! * We had a great time in Madrid. * 'I'll pick you up at seven.' 'That'll be great, thanks.' * (ironic) Oh great, they left without us. * You've been a great help, I must say (= no help at all). important / impressive 6 [onlybeforenoun] important and impressive: The wedding was a great occasion. * As the great day approached, she grew more and more nervous. * The great thing is to get it done quickly. * One great advantage of this metal is that it doesn't rust. with influence 7 having high status or a lot of influence: the great powers (= important and powerful countries) * We can make this country great again. * Alexander the Great in good health 8 in a very good state of physical or mental health: She seemed in great spirits (= very cheerful). * I feel great today. * I don't feel too great. * Everyone's in great form. skilled 9 [notusuallybeforenoun] ~ at (doing) sth (informal) able to do sth well: She's great at chess. useful 10 ~ for (doing) sth (informal) very suitable or useful for sth: This gadget's great for opening jars. * Try this cream-it's great for spots. for emphasis 11 [onlybeforenoun] used when you are emphasizing a particular description of sb/sth: We are great friends. * I've never been a great reader (= I do not read much). * She's a great talker, isn't she? * I am a great admirer of your work. family 12 added to words for family members to show a further stage in relationship: my great-aunt (= my father's or mother's aunt) * her great grandson (= the grandson of her son or daughter) larger animals / plants 13 [onlybeforenoun] used in the names of animals or plants which are larger than similar kinds: the great tit city name 14 (Greater) used with the name of a city to describe an area that includes the centre of the city and a large area all round it: Greater London greatness noun [U] IDIOMS be going great guns (informal) to be doing sth quickly and successfully: Work is going great guns now. be a great one for (doing) sth to do sth a lot; to enjoy sth: I've never been a great one for writing letters. * You're a great one for quizzes, aren't you? be no great shakes (informal) to be not very good, efficient, suitable, etc. great and small of all sizes or types: all creatures great and small the great sth in the sky (humorous) used to refer to where a particular person or thing is imagined to go when they die or are no longer working, similar to the place they were connected with on earth: Their pet rabbit had gone to the great rabbit hutch in the sky. moreatPAINS, SUMn. noun [usuallypl.] (informal) a very well-known and successful person or thing: He was one of boxing's all-time greats. adverb (informal, non-standard) very well: Well done. You did great.