large-scale

large-scale — adjective

1. describing activities, projects, or events that involve a great number of people

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing activities, projects, or events that involve a great number of people, cover a wide area, or require large amounts of money or materials.

Example

The government launched a large-scale vaccination programme across the country.

collocation: large-scale + [programme/operation/campaign]

Lara's company is planning a large-scale expansion into Southeast Asian markets.

collocation: large-scale + [expansion/investment/project]

Common collocations
  • large-scale operation
  • large-scale project
  • large-scale production
  • large-scale investment
  • large-scale testing
  • large-scale survey
Synonyms
  • massive

    emphasises sheer size rather than scope or coordination

  • wide-ranging

    focuses on covering many different topics or areas rather than size

  • extensive

    suggests broad coverage; slightly more formal

Antonyms
  • small-scale

    direct opposite; involving few people or a limited area

  • limited

    suggests narrow scope or restrictions

Grammar Patterns

large-scale + noun: the adjective must come before the noun it modifies

Usage Note

Less commonly used predicatively. Instead of 'The operation was large-scale,' use 'The operation was on a large scale.'

2. describing a map, drawing, or model created with a ratio that enlarges close-up

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing a map, drawing, or model created with a ratio that enlarges close-up details — for instance, a town map in which one centimetre stands for only a few hundred metres on the ground.

Example

The architect showed us a large-scale drawing of the new library's entrance hall.

collocation: large-scale + [drawing/plan/sketch]

Defne used a large-scale map of the old city to trace the ancient canal routes.

collocation: large-scale + [map/plan]

Common collocations
  • large-scale map
  • large-scale drawing
  • large-scale plan
  • large-scale model
  • large-scale chart
Synonyms
  • detailed

    broader meaning; can describe any detailed representation

  • close-up

    usual for photographs or views, not maps and plans

Antonyms
  • small-scale

    in cartography, opposite ratio — showing large areas with less detail

Grammar Patterns

large-scale + [map/drawing/model/plan]

Common Mistakes

I bought a large-scale map of the world.
I bought a large-scale map of the city centre.
Large-scale maps show small areas in detail; a world map would be small-scale (little detail, vast area).

Word family

  • large
    adjectiveA1
  • scale
    nounB1
  • small-scale
    adjectiveB2
  • full-scale
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe things that are big in scope, but they emphasise different aspects. Large-scale highlights the involvement of many people, resources, or a wide area — it is the most neutral and precise term for projects, operations, or events. Massive focuses on sheer physical size or weight and is more informal ("a massive stadium"). Wide-ranging is narrower and stresses variety or breadth of coverage ("wide-ranging reforms"). Extensive suggests broad but thorough reach and is often used with damage, knowledge, or research ("extensive damage"). Sweeping conveys a sense of completeness or lack of exceptions ("sweeping changes") and is common in political contexts. Choose large-scale when you mean big in organisational scope; use massive for striking physical size; and pick sweeping or wide-ranging when you want to highlight broad coverage or lack of exceptions.

massive ↗wide-rangingextensive ↗sweeping ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • on a large scale

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

A compound adjective formed in English from 'large' (from Latin largus 'abundant, plentiful') and 'scale' (from Latin scala 'ladder' — referring to the graduated measurements on a map or plan). First recorded in the 17th century in cartography, describing maps with a large representative fraction showing a small area in great detail. By the early 20th century it had broadened to describe any undertaking of great size or scope.