big
gb/bˈɪɡ/ us/bˈɪɡ/
A1
Inglese
~ 300
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
A1
property
1
Large in physical dimensions
Large in size.
Schema d'uso:
[something] is big
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'big' with 'tall' when describing height. 'Tall' is for vertical measurement, 'big' is overall size.
Sinonimi
large (Slightly more formal than 'big' and used in both physical and abstract contexts.)
Contrari
small (Describes something of little size, the opposite of 'big' in a physical sense.)
Collocazioni
big house
|big city
|big dog
|big problem
|big tree
Temi
daily life
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- They live in a big house near the park.
- That’s a big dog for such a small apartment.
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- The box is big.
- My room is big.
- That is a big car.
- We saw a big cat.
- The school is big.
adjective
A2
property
2
Important or influential
Important or having a lot of power.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] is a big [role/position]
Errore comune:
Some learners overuse 'big' instead of more precise words like 'major', 'important', or 'significant' in formal writing.
Sinonimi
important (Direct synonym but more formal; 'big' is more colloquial in this sense.)
Contrari
minor (Refers to something of little importance or influence.)
Collocazioni
big decision
|big news
|big name
|big event
|big role
Temi
business
|social
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Getting into that university was a big achievement for her.
- He’s a big name in the music industry.
- This meeting is a big opportunity for our company.
- It’s a big moment in his career.
- That was a big decision to make.
Esempi per chi studia
- This is a big day for me.
- She is a big player in the sport.
- We have a big meeting today.
- It was a big change for us.
- He made a big choice.
adjective
informal
B1
property
3
Generous or kind-hearted
Kind and ready to give or forgive.
Schema d'uso:
be big about [something]
Errore comune:
Learners may misunderstand this as referring to physical size rather than generosity when used figuratively.
Sinonimi
generous ('Generous' focuses on giving, while 'big' in this sense can also imply emotional maturity.)
Contrari
petty (Describes someone who is small-minded and unwilling to be generous or forgiving.)
Collocazioni
big heart
|be big about it
Temi
emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Be big about it and let it go.
- She’s always been big-hearted toward her friends.
- He was big enough to admit he was wrong.
- Try to be big and forgive them.
Esempi per chi studia
- He was big and said sorry.
- She is big and helps people.
- Be big and forgive your friend.
- He is big and shares his food.
adjective
informal
A2
property
4
Older in family rank
Older than another person in the family or group.
Schema d'uso:
[someone's] big [brother/sister/etc.]
Errore comune:
Learners might incorrectly use 'older brother' in informal contexts where 'big brother' sounds more natural among native speakers.
Sinonimi
elder ('Elder' is more formal and less common in everyday speech than 'big' for siblings.)
Contrari
little brother ('Little' describes someone younger in sibling order.)
Collocazioni
big brother
|big sister
Temi
family
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- My big brother taught me how to ride a bike.
- She looks up to her big sister.
- His big cousin took him to the park.
Esempi per chi studia
- I have a big sister.
- My big brother plays football.
- Her big brother helps her study.
Grammatica
Forma base
big
IPA
GB/bˈɪɡ/
US/bˈɪɡ/
Sillabe e accento
big (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (big)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: big
- Comparative: bigger
- Superlative: biggest
Famiglia di parole
Forms
bigger
adjective
biggest
adjective
Related words
bigness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
small
adjective A1
Punti chiave
- Irregular comparative: bigger Adjective
- Irregular superlative: biggest Adjective
Espressioni
big deal
1/bˈɪɡ dˈil/
idiom
informal
Something important or impressive
Something that is important or special.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- We need to focus on the big picture if we want to succeed.
- Don't get lost in the details; remember the big picture.