great

[[t]greɪt[/t]]

adj. great•er, great•est,

1) unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions; big

2) large in number; numerous:

great herds of buffalo[/ex]

3) unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.:

great pain[/ex]

4) first-rate; excellent:

to have a great time[/ex]

5) being such in an extreme or notable degree:

great friends[/ex]

6) notable; remarkable:

a great occasion[/ex]

7) important; highly significant:

the great issues in American history[/ex]

8) distinguished; famous:

a great inventor[/ex]

9) of noble or lofty character:

great thoughts[/ex]

10) chief or principal:

the great hall[/ex]

11) of high rank or social standing:

a great lady[/ex]

12) much in use or favor:

“Humor” was a great word with the old physiologists[/ex]

13) of extraordinary powers; having unusual merit:

a great statesman[/ex]

14) of marked duration or length:

to wait a great while[/ex]

15) inf Informal.

a) enthusiastic about some specified activity (usu. fol. by on or for):

He's great on poetry[/ex]

b) skillful; expert (usu. fol. by at):

She's great at golf[/ex]

16) cvb being of one generation more remote from the family relative specified (used in combination):

a great-grandson[/ex]

17) inf Informal. very well:

Things have been going great for him[/ex]

18) a person who has achieved importance or distinction in a field:

She is one of the theater's greats[/ex]

19) great persons, collectively:

England's literary great[/ex]

20) (used to express acceptance, appreciation, approval, admiration, etc.)

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME greet, OE grēat, c. OFris grāt, OS grōt, OHG grōz great′ly, adv. great′ness, n.