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ADJECTIVE:
big·ger, big·gest
  1. Of considerable size, number, quantity, magnitude, or extent; large. See Synonyms at large.
    1. Of great force; strong: a big wind; in a big rage.
    2. Obsolete Of great strength.
    1. Mature or grown-up: big enough to take the bus by herself.
    2. Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling: My big brother is leaving for college next week.
  4. Pregnant: big with child.
  5. Filled up; brimming over: felt big with love.
  6. Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence: a big official; a big chief.
  7. Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent: a big figure in the peace movement.
  8. Of great significance; momentous: a big decision; a big victory.
  9. Informal Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular: "For public opinion . . . has grown harsh and yuppie-bashing is big" (Sally Jacobs).
  10. Informal Self-important; cocky: You're too big for your own good.
  11. Loud and firm; resounding: a big voice.
  12. Bountiful; generous: had a big heart.
ADVERB:
  1. In a pretentious or boastful way: talked big about the new job.
  2. Informal
    1. With considerable success: made it big with their recent best-selling album.
    2. In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically: failed big at the box office.

IDIOM:
big on
Enthusiastic about; partial to: "The Japanese are big on ranking things and deciding which is Number One" (James Fallows).
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin

OTHER FORMS:
biggish(Adjective), bigly(Adverb), bigness(Noun)


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