large Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a garment size for a large person
  2. adjective above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
    big.
    • a large city
    • set out for the big city
    • a large sum
    • a big (or large) barn
    • a large family
    • big businesses
    • a big expenditure
    • a large number of newspapers
    • a big group of scientists
    • large areas of the world
  3. adjective satellite fairly large or important in effect; influential
    • played a large role in the negotiations
  4. adjective satellite ostentatiously lofty in style
    tumid; bombastic; orotund; turgid; declamatory.
    • a man given to large talk
    • tumid political prose
  5. adjective satellite generous and understanding and tolerant
    big; magnanimous.
    • a heart big enough to hold no grudges
    • that's very big of you to be so forgiving
    • a large and generous spirit
    • a large heart
    • magnanimous toward his enemies
  6. adjective satellite conspicuous in position or importance
    big; prominent.
    • a big figure in the movement
    • big man on campus
    • he's very large in financial circles
    • a prominent citizen
  7. adjective satellite having broad power and range and scope
    • taking the large view
    • a large effect
    • a large sympathy
  8. adjective satellite in an advanced stage of pregnancy
    heavy; great; with child; gravid; big; enceinte; expectant.
    • was big with child
    • was great with child
  9. adverb at a distance, wide of something (as of a mark)
  10. adverb with the wind abaft the beam
    • a ship sailing large
  11. adverb in a boastful manner
    vauntingly; boastfully; big.
    • he talked big all evening

WordNet

Large adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. largus. Cf. Largo.
Wordforms
comparative Larger ; superlative Largest
Definitions
  1. Exceeding most other things of like in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; -- opposed to small; as, a nlarge horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city. ✍ For linear dimensions, and mere extent, great, and not large, is used as a qualifying word; as, great length, breadth, depth; a great distance; a great height.
  2. Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.
    We hare yet large day. Milton.
  3. Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.
    I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education. Felton.
  4. Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; -- said of the mind and heart.
  5. Free; unembarrassed. Obs.
    Of burdens all he set the Paynims large. Fairfax.
  6. Unrestrained by decorum; -- said of language. Obs. "Some large jests he will make." Shak.
  7. Prodigal in expending; lavish. Obs. Chaucer.
  8. (Naut.) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; -- said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter. Syn. -- Big; bulky; huge; capacious; comprehensive; ample; abundant; plentiful; populous; copious; diffusive; liberal.
Large adverb
Definitions
  1. Freely; licentiously. Obs. Chaucer.
Large noun
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.

Webster 1913