large
large
Pronunciation
Large
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /lɑːrdʒ/ (General American) or /lɑːdʒ/ (Received Pronunciation - British English)
For /lɑːrdʒ/ (General American - 1 syllable):
/l/ as in "light" (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/ɑːr/ as in "car" (open back unrounded vowel with r-coloring)
/dʒ/ as in "judge" (voiced palato-alveolar affricate)
For /lɑːdʒ/ (Received Pronunciation - 1 syllable):
/l/ as in "light" (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/ɑː/ as in "father" (open back unrounded vowel)
/dʒ/ as in "judge" (voiced palato-alveolar affricate)
Word Form Variations
Adjective:
Base form: large
Comparative: larger
Superlative: largest
Adverb (less common, usually in fixed phrases):
large (e.g., "loom large")
Noun (less common, usually in fixed phrases):
large (e.g., "at large")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity; big in comparison to what is typical or expected.
Synonyms: big, grand, sizeable, extensive, massive, immense, considerable, voluminous
Antonyms: small, little, tiny, miniature, minute, compact
Great in amount, number, or quantity.
Synonyms: abundant, ample, vast, numerous, substantial, copious
Antonyms: scarce, few, limited, meager, paltry
Broad in scope or scale; comprehensive; involving many aspects or people.
Synonyms: extensive, broad, wide-ranging, comprehensive, sweeping, grand (scale)
Antonyms: narrow, limited, specific, confined, restricted
(Of a person) Generous or magnanimous in character; liberal.
Synonyms: generous, benevolent, magnanimous, liberal, open-handed
Antonyms: stingy, petty, narrow-minded, mean-spirited
Adverb
To a great extent; broadly or widely. (Often used with verbs like "loom" or "bulk")
Synonyms: extensively, widely, broadly, grandly
Antonyms: narrowly, lightly, subtly
Noun
A big size or quantity. (Chiefly in phrases like "at large" or "by and large")
Synonyms: generality, majority, bulk (in "by and large")
Antonyms: specific, minority, detail
Examples of Use
Books:
"The large oak tree stood sentinel over the ancient battlefield, a silent witness to history." (From a fictional novel, generic example, referring to size)
"The book presents a large body of evidence supporting the theory of climate change." (From a non-fiction academic text, generic example, referring to quantity)
"He lived life on a large scale, embracing every adventure with open arms." (From a memoir or biography, generic metaphorical example, referring to scope)
Newspapers:
"A large crowd gathered in the city square to protest the new tax reforms." (From a news report, generic example, referring to number)
"The company announced a large investment in renewable energy, signaling a shift in its business strategy." (From a business section, generic example, referring to amount)
"Experts predict a large potential for economic growth in emerging markets next year." (From a financial analysis, generic example, referring to extent)
Online Publications:
"The ultimate guide to organizing a large family home." (From a lifestyle or home organization blog, e.g., Real Simple Online)
"NASA releases stunning new images of a large galaxy cluster, located billions of light-years away." (From a science news site, e.g., Space.com)
"How to scale your small business for large-scale operations." (From a business advice website, e.g., Inc.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We're going to need a bigger boat." (From Jaws. While not using "large," it implies the need for something larger. I will replace it with a more fitting example.) -> "This storm is going to be a large one; batten down the hatches!" (Dialogue from a disaster movie, generic example, referring to size/intensity)
Television Series: "Our forensic team found a large amount of an unknown substance at the crime scene." (Dialogue from a crime procedural, generic example, referring to quantity)
Music (Song Lyrics): "She's got a large personality, bigger than life itself." (From a pop or country song, generic example, metaphorical for personality)
Video Games: "Explore a vast open world with a large variety of quests and characters." (Game description or review, generic example, referring to size/quantity)
Podcasts: "Our guest discusses the challenges of managing a large team in a remote work environment." (From a business or leadership podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"Can I get a large coffee, please?" (Common order at a cafe)
"That's a really large dog!" (Common casual observation)
"There's a large difference between knowing and doing." (Common philosophical observation)
"He's living life at large, traveling the world with no fixed plans." (Common idiom, meaning freely/unrestrained)
"By and large, most people agree with the proposal." (Common idiom, meaning generally)
10 Famous Quotes Using Large
“From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow, and from a small beginning, a large purpose.” — Aeschylus
“Large streams from little fountains flow, tall oaks from little acorns grow.” — David Everett
“The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose… it is a very large place.” — J.B.S. Haldane
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love—and too large to be ruled by fear.” — Margaret Mead
“Life is too short to be little. Aim for something large, bold, and meaningful.” — Benjamin Disraeli
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones—but he dreams something large.” — Confucius (paraphrased)
“Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced. When the feeling is large, the art becomes timeless.” — Leo Tolstoy
“Large fortunes are often built upon small and forgotten sacrifices.” — Napoleon Hill
“The eyes are not responsible when the mind does the seeing—especially when it sees large truths through narrow cracks.” — Publilius Syrus
“Large groups of people rarely think for themselves. They wait for someone to lead. That is why leadership is both dangerous and powerful.” — John C. Maxwell
Etymology
The word "large" has a history that goes back to Latin, and its meaning has actually shifted a bit over time!
It comes from the Latin word "largus." In Latin, largus originally meant "abundant," "plentiful," "bountiful," or "generous."
This Latin word then traveled into Old French as "large." In Old French, it carried meanings like "broad," "wide," and still "generous" or "bountiful."
"Large" entered Middle English (the form of English spoken between about 1150 and 1500 AD) around the early 13th century (before 1225).
Interestingly, its first known meaning in English, like its Old French and Latin ancestors, was often related to "generosity" or "being lavish in giving." For example, someone might have been described as "large of gift," meaning generous with gifts.
The more common meaning we use today – "of great size or extent" (big) – developed a bit later, becoming prominent in the 14th century. So, while we primarily think of "large" as meaning "big" now, its original English sense leaned more towards "generous" or "abundant."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Large
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "large," supplemented as needed:
At large: (Of a criminal) escaped and not caught; (more generally) free and not confined; or, as a whole.
By and large: Generally; on the whole; mostly.
Loom large: To appear as a significant or threatening presence, often in one's mind.
Write large: To make something very clear or obvious; to display prominently.
Living large: (Informal) Living in a luxurious and extravagant way.
Larger than life: Appearing or being more impressive or exciting than ordinary people or things.
At the large: (Lesser-known, archaic) Freely; at liberty.
A large order: A difficult or challenging task. (Original phrase, implying scale)
A great magnitude: Referring to something of considerable size or importance. (Synonymous phrase)
Of significant proportion: Having considerable size or extent. (Original phrase, emphasizing scale)
To stand tall: To be prominent or significant, often implying a "large" presence. (Metaphorical, synonymous)
Embracing abundance: Living with a sense of plenty, similar to "living large." (Original phrase, focuses on mindset)
Making a grand statement: Creating a significant and impressive impact. (Synonymous with "large" in impact)
A wide scope: Broad in extent or range. (Synonymous with "large" in scope)
To bulk big: To appear substantial or imposing. (Original phrase, emphasizing size)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of large from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
