What does "large" mean?
An old musical note, equal to two longas, four breves, or eight semibreves.
Large
/lɑːd͡ʒ/ adj, adv, name, noun, slang
adj, adv, name, noun, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An old musical note, equal to two longas, four breves, or eight semibreves.
- Grammar: large is listed as adj, adv, name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: big, adipose, altogether, ample.
- Useful contrasts: little, minuscule, scrawny.
- Usage evidence: Brian repeatedly told Chris that he owed him a pretty large amount of money.
How to use "large"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "large" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "large" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "large" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "large" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "large" is acting as adj, adv, name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "big" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "large", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An old musical note, equal to two longas, four breves, or eight semibreves. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 2 a garment size for a large person wordnet
- 3 Liberality, generosity. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 4 A thousand dollars/pounds. countable, plural, slang, uncountable
"Getting a car tricked out like that will cost you 50 large."
- 5 One of several common sizes to which an item may be manufactured, larger than a medium. especially, uncountable
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 An item labelled or denoted as being that size. countable, especially
"One small coffee and two larges, please."
- 7 One who fits an item of that size. countable, especially
Adjective
- 1 Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
"Russia is a large country. The fruit-fly has large eyes for its body size. He has a large collection of stamps."
- 2 That is large (the manufactured size). especially
- 3 Abundant; ample. obsolete
"We have yet large day."
- 4 Full in statement; diffuse; profuse. archaic
"And where hit please yow to saye that I haue holden my lady youre Quene yeres and wynters / vnto that I shal euer make a large ansuer "And where it please you to say that I have holden my lady your queen years and winters, unto that I shall ever make a large answer""
- 5 Free; unencumbered. obsolete
"Of burdens all he set the Paynims large."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Unrestrained by decorum; said of language. obsolete
"Some large jests he will make."
- 7 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.
Adjective
- 1 in an advanced stage of pregnancy wordnet
- 2 having broad power and range and scope wordnet
- 3 conspicuous in position or importance wordnet
- 4 generous and understanding and tolerant wordnet
- 5 above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 ostentatiously lofty in style wordnet
- 7 fairly large or important in effect; influential wordnet
Adverb
- 1 Before the wind.
Adverb
- 1 in a boastful manner wordnet
- 2 with the wind abaft the beam wordnet
- 3 at a distance, wide of something (as of a mark) wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"Brian repeatedly told Chris that he owed him a pretty large amount of money."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "large"?
Common synonyms include: big, adipose, altogether, ample, ample, ample.
How do you use "large" in a sentence?
Brian repeatedly told Chris that he owed him a pretty large amount of money.
How do you pronounce "large"?
Pronounced /lɑːd͡ʒ/.
Etymology
From Middle English large, from Old French large, from Latin larga, feminine of largus (“abundant, plentiful, copious, large, much”), of uncertain ultimate origin; see there for more. Along with big, it mostly displaced Middle English stoor and muchel (the latter surviving in much under a different meaning).