great
Used to describe something that is much better than average, excellent, or wonderful. It can also describe something that is very large in size, amount, or degree.
Examples
3 of 5We had a great time at the park yesterday.
We had a very enjoyable and excellent time at the park yesterday.
The candidate possesses a great deal of experience in this field.
The candidate has a large amount of experience in this field.
That movie was great! You should watch it.
That movie was fantastic! You should watch it.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Great Wall of China'—it is both very BIG and very IMPRESSIVE.
Quick Quiz
She did a ___ job on her school project and got an A.
Correct!
The correct answer is: great
Examples
We had a great time at the park yesterday.
everydayWe had a very enjoyable and excellent time at the park yesterday.
The candidate possesses a great deal of experience in this field.
formalThe candidate has a large amount of experience in this field.
That movie was great! You should watch it.
informalThat movie was fantastic! You should watch it.
The study concludes that exercise has a great impact on mental health.
academicThe study concludes that exercise has a very large effect on mental health.
This partnership represents a great opportunity for both companies.
businessThis partnership represents an excellent chance for both companies.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Great job!
Well done; used to praise someone's work.
A great deal of
A large amount or quantity of something.
Great minds think alike
Used when two people have the same smart idea at the same time.
Often Confused With
Grate is a verb meaning to shred food or a noun for a metal frame; they sound the same but are spelled differently.
Large only refers to size, whereas great can mean both large size and excellent quality.
Usage Notes
Great is one of the most common adjectives in English. While it can mean physically big, in modern conversation it is most often used to mean 'very good' or 'wonderful'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'great' to describe a person's height (e.g., 'He is very great'), but 'tall' should be used for height. 'Great' for a person usually means they are important or talented.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Great Wall of China'—it is both very BIG and very IMPRESSIVE.
Word Origin
From the Old English 'great', which originally meant big, thick, or coarse.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In American culture, 'Great!' is a very common, enthusiastic way to agree with someone or react to good news.
Quick Quiz
She did a ___ job on her school project and got an A.
Correct!
The correct answer is: great
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More quality words
bad
A1Describes something that is of low quality, unpleasant, or not helpful. It can also refer to things that are harmful, serious, or morally wrong.
good
A1Used to describe something that is of a high standard, pleasant, or morally right. It is a general positive term used to express approval or satisfaction in many different situations.
cut corners
B2To do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often by skipping important steps or ignoring rules. This practice usually results in lower quality or increased risk to save time or money.
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