unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions

A great fire destroyed nearly half the city.

large in number; numerous

Great hordes of tourists descend on Europe each summer.

unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc.

great pain.

wonderful; first-rate; very good

We had a great time. That's great!

being such in an extreme or notable degree

great friends; a great talker.

notable; remarkable; exceptionally outstanding

a great occasion.

important; highly significant or consequential

the great issues in American history.

distinguished; famous

a great inventor.

of noble or lofty character

great thoughts.

chief or principal

the great hall; his greatest novel.

of high rank, official position, or social standing

a great noble.

much in use or favor

Humor was a great word with the old physiologists.

of extraordinary powers; having unusual merit; very admirable

a great statesman.

of considerable duration or length

We waited a great while for the train.

Informal .

enthusiastic about some specified activity (usually fol. by at, for, or on )

He's great on reading poetry aloud.

skillful; expert (usually fol. by at or on )

He's great at golf.

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

a great-grandson.

Informal . very well

Things have been going great for him.

a person who has achieved importance or distinction in a field

She is one of the theater's greats.

great persons, collectively

England's literary great.

( often initial capital letter ) greats, ( used with a singular verb ) Also called great go. British Informal .

the final examination for the bachelor's degree in the classics and mathematics, or Literae Humaniores, esp. at Oxford University and usually for honors.

the course of study.

the subject studied.

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

(used ironically or facetiously to express disappointment, annoyance, distress, etc.)

Great! We just missed the last train home.

great with child

being in the late stages of pregnancy.