large

large — adjective

1. greater than the usual size, amount, or number — for example, a large crowd of p

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

greater than the usual size, amount, or number — for example, a large crowd of people waiting outside, or a large slice of cake that fills your plate.

Example

The Watanabe family bought a large house with a big garden near the river.

collocation: large house / large amount

Hui drank a large glass of water after running for thirty minutes in the park.

collocation: large glass / large quantity

Common collocations
  • large house
  • large amount
  • large number
  • large quantity
  • large crowd
  • large sum
Synonyms
  • big

    more common in everyday speech, especially for physical size

  • huge

    much bigger than average; stronger emphasis

  • enormous

    extremely large, often suggesting something surprising in scale

  • massive

    very large and solid or heavy in appearance

Antonyms
  • small

    the most direct opposite for physical size

  • tiny

    extremely small; opposite with stronger emphasis

  • little

    common in everyday speech as the opposite of 'big'

Usage Note

Works with both countable and uncountable nouns: a large dog; large amounts of money. For body size, 'big' is more natural in everyday speech — 'large' sounds more clinical or measured.

Common Mistakes

There was a large rain last night.
There was heavy rain last night.
'large' describes measurable size or quantity; use 'heavy' for rain volume.
She is very large for her age.
She is very big for her age.
'large' for people sounds clinical or weight-focused; 'big' is the natural choice for body size.

2. covering a wide range of activities, people, or things; having broad influence o

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

covering a wide range of activities, people, or things; having broad influence or reach — for example, a government department with a large remit, or a company with large interests across different industries.

Example

The investigation has a large scope and covers events in three different countries.

collocation: large scope

Élise was given large responsibilities shortly after joining the new team.

collocation: large responsibilities

Common collocations
  • large scope
  • large selection
  • large powers
  • large responsibilities
  • large interests
Synonyms
  • broad

    more natural for abstract scope (broad powers, broad range)

  • extensive

    suggests thorough coverage over a wide area

  • wide-ranging

    emphasises variety across many different things

  • comprehensive

    includes everything necessary; thorough

Antonyms
  • narrow

    the direct opposite for scope and range

  • limited

    restricted in extent; opposite of extensive

  • restricted

    kept within certain limits; not broad

Usage Note

Common with abstract nouns such as 'scope', 'selection', 'powers', 'responsibilities'. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not describe physical dimensions.

Common Mistakes

She has a large experience in teaching.
She has extensive experience in teaching.
'large' does not pair with 'experience'; use 'extensive' or 'broad'.
The book gives a large overview of the topic.
The book gives a broad overview of the topic.
'broad overview' is the fixed collocation.
Idioms

by and large

idiom

used to say that something is generally but not completely true.

By and large, the students were happy with the new timetable.

The weather here is warm throughout the year, by and large.

at large

idiom

as a whole; in general.

The problem affects society at large, not just young people.

The announcement was welcomed by the public at large.

at large

idiom

used to describe a dangerous person or animal that has not been caught.

The police warned that the escaped prisoner is still at large.

larger than life

idiom

behaving or appearing in a way that is more exciting, interesting, or dramatic than ordinary people.

Her grandfather was a larger-than-life character who told amazing stories.

The actor played a cowboy with a larger-than-life personality.

loom large

idiom

to seem very important, worrying, or frightening because it is difficult to avoid.

The final exam loomed large in the minds of all the students.

The threat of job losses looms large over the factory workers.

give/have it large

idiom

To have a very enjoyable time, often by dancing and drinking alcohol.

Mia and her friends gave it large at the club last night.

Are you planning to have it large at the party this weekend?

in large part | in large measure

idiom

To a great degree or mostly.

The project's success was due in large part to Sara's leadership.

In large measure, the team's victory came from hard work.

(as) large as life

idiom

Used to express surprise when seeing someone or something in person.

After years abroad, Tom appeared as large as life at the reunion.

I couldn't believe it, but there was the missing cat, large as life.

writ large

idiom

Clearly visible or obvious.

His disappointment was writ large on his face after the loss.

The company's greed was writ large in its unethical practices.

large — verb

large — adverb

large — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five describe something of greater than ordinary size, but they differ in register, intensity, and typical contexts. 'Big' is the most common and informal — it works for physical size (a big dog), importance (a big decision), and age (a big sister). 'Large' is slightly more formal and measured; it fits well with quantities and measurements (a large amount, a large room) but can sound clinical when applied to people. 'Huge' adds strong emphasis, often suggesting something impressively or surprisingly big (a huge wave). 'Enormous' goes further still, implying a scale that is unusually or shockingly large (an enormous building). 'Massive' emphasises weight, solidity, or a sense of heaviness (a massive rock). In everyday speech, 'big' dominates; in formal writing and data contexts, 'large' is preferred. For example: 'They live in a big house on the corner' (natural, everyday) versus 'The company reported a large increase in profits' (formal, measured). 'The crowd was huge' (surprising size) versus 'A massive truck blocked the road' (heavy, solid).

big ↗large ↗huge ↗enormous ↗massive ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'large' entered English through Old French, where it meant 'generous' or 'abundant'. The French word 'large' came from Latin 'largus', which carried the same meaning of giving freely or plentifully. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'generous in giving' to 'great in size or amount'. This is why even today you can see traces of the original meaning in phrases like 'live large' (live generously/extravagantly) and 'at large' (free, not restricted).