big
gb/bˈɪɡ/ us/bˈɪɡ/
A1
English
~ 300
nagy, jelentős, meghatározó, nagylelkű, jószívű, nagyvonalú, idősebb, báty, nővér
A1
1
nagy
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] is big
They live in a big house near the park.
Egy nagy házban laknak a park közelében.
That’s a big dog for such a small apartment.
Ez a kutya elég nagy egy ilyen kis lakáshoz.
The city has many big buildings downtown.
She bought a big suitcase for her trip.
A big tree grows in the middle of the garden.
Learner examples
The box is big.
A doboz nagy.
My room is big.
A szobám nagy.
That is a big car.
We saw a big cat.
The school is big.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'big' with 'tall' when describing height. 'Tall' is for vertical measurement, 'big' is overall size.
Meaning
Large in physical dimensions
Collocations
big house
|big city
|big dog
|big problem
|big tree
Synonyms
large (Slightly more formal than 'big' and used in both physical and abstract contexts.)
Antonyms
small (Describes something of little size, the opposite of 'big' in a physical sense.)
Themes
daily life
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Large in size.
Of considerable physical size, extent, or magnitude.
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a big [role/position]
Getting into that university was a big achievement for her.
Az, hogy felvették arra az egyetemre, nagy eredmény volt számára.
He’s a big name in the music industry.
Ő nagy név a zeneiparban.
This meeting is a big opportunity for our company.
It’s a big moment in his career.
That was a big decision to make.
Learner examples
This is a big day for me.
Ez nagy nap nekem.
She is a big player in the sport.
Ő a sportág egyik meghatározó alakja.
We have a big meeting today.
It was a big change for us.
He made a big choice.
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'big' instead of more precise words like 'major', 'important', or 'significant' in formal writing.
Meaning
Important or influential
Collocations
big decision
|big news
|big name
|big event
|big role
Synonyms
important (Direct synonym but more formal; 'big' is more colloquial in this sense.)
Antonyms
minor (Refers to something of little importance or influence.)
Themes
business
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Important or having a lot of power.
Having great importance, influence, or status.
B1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
be big about [something]
Be big about it and let it go.
Légy nagyvonalú, és engedd el.
She’s always been big-hearted toward her friends.
Mindig jószívű volt a barátaival.
He was big enough to admit he was wrong.
Try to be big and forgive them.
Learner examples
He was big and said sorry.
Nagyvonalú volt, és bocsánatot kért.
She is big and helps people.
Jószívű, és segít az embereknek.
Be big and forgive your friend.
He is big and shares his food.
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand this as referring to physical size rather than generosity when used figuratively.
Meaning
Generous or kind-hearted
Collocations
big heart
|be big about it
Synonyms
generous ('Generous' focuses on giving, while 'big' in this sense can also imply emotional maturity.)
Antonyms
petty (Describes someone who is small-minded and unwilling to be generous or forgiving.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Kind and ready to give or forgive.
Showing generosity, kindness, or willingness to forgive.
A2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
[someone's] big [brother/sister/etc.]
My big brother taught me how to ride a bike.
A bátyám tanított meg biciklizni.
She looks up to her big sister.
Felnéz a nővérére.
His big cousin took him to the park.
Learner examples
I have a big sister.
Van egy nővérem.
My big brother plays football.
A bátyám focizik.
Her big brother helps her study.
Common mistake:
Learners might incorrectly use 'older brother' in informal contexts where 'big brother' sounds more natural among native speakers.
Meaning
Older in family rank
Collocations
big brother
|big sister
Synonyms
elder ('Elder' is more formal and less common in everyday speech than 'big' for siblings.)
Antonyms
little brother ('Little' describes someone younger in sibling order.)
Themes
family
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Older than another person in the family or group.
Older or elder in relation to siblings or peers.
Grammar
Dictionary form
big
IPA
GB/bˈɪɡ/
US/bˈɪɡ/
Syllables & stress
big (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (big)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: big
- Comparative: bigger
- Superlative: biggest
Word family
Forms
bigger
adjective
biggest
adjective
Related words
bigness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
small
adjective A1
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: bigger Adjective
- Irregular superlative: biggest Adjective
Expressions
big deal
1/bˈɪɡ dˈil/
idiom
informal
Something important or impressive
Something that is important or special.
Examples
- Getting this job is a big deal for me.
- It’s not such a big deal—don’t worry about it.
go big or go home
1/ɡˈoʊ bˈɪɡ ˈɔɹ ɡˈoʊ hˈoʊm/
idiom
informal
Commit fully or not at all
To give your best effort or not try at all.
Examples
- When it comes to competitions, I say go big or go home.
- They decided to go big or go home with their marketing campaign.
make it big
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt bˈɪɡ/
idiom
informal
Become successful or famous
To become very successful or well-known.
Examples
- He moved to Hollywood hoping to make it big.
- She made it big as a fashion designer.
think big
1/θˈɪŋk bˈɪɡ/
idiom
Have ambitious goals or ideas
To plan or dream of doing great things.
Examples
- If you want to succeed, you have to think big.
- She’s thinking big about her future business.
big picture
1/bˈɪɡ pˈɪkt͡ʃɚ/
idiom
Overall perspective of situation
The whole situation, not just small parts of it.
Examples
- We need to look at the big picture before deciding.
- Don’t get lost in details—remember the big picture.
big picture
2/bˈɪɡ pˈɪkt͡ʃɚ/
idiom
Overall view of a situation
The most important and general facts about something, not the small details.
Examples
- We need to focus on the big picture if we want to succeed.
- Don't get lost in the details; remember the big picture.