Big vs. Large: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 16, 2023
Both words generally mean exceeding the usual size, but big often refers to physical dimensions, while large can refer to quantity, extent, or capacity.
Key Differences
The words big and large are synonymous in many contexts, typically used to describe something that is of greater size, quantity, or extent than the average or standard. Big is more informal and is often used in everyday speech, whereas large tends to be more formal and is commonly used in written language and specific contexts like measurements.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
The term big can emphasize physical dimensions and appearance, often projecting a broader, more exaggerated impression. On the other hand, large is a more neutral term, frequently employed to describe dimensions, capacity, and quantity without necessarily emphasizing the visual aspect.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
The versatility of big makes it applicable in various contexts, such as describing a considerable impact or significance. Large, meanwhile, is often used to quantify, representing extensive amounts, numbers, or volumes, particularly in formal and scientific settings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
The usage of big can sometimes be more subjective, reflecting personal perceptions of size or importance. In contrast, large can be more objective, often used when precise measurements and quantities are involved, reflecting a more factual representation of size or amount.
Harlon Moss
Oct 15, 2023
In certain expressions and idioms, big and large are not interchangeable. For instance, “big brother” conveys a specific cultural meaning, and “at large” has a distinctive implication of being free or unconfined, illustrating the nuanced usage of these terms.
Sara Rehman
Oct 15, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Use
More informal and commonly used in everyday speech.
More formal and often used in written language.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Emphasis
Often emphasizes physical dimensions and appearance.
Frequently describes dimensions, capacity, and quantity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Subjectivity
Can be more subjective and perception-based.
Can be more objective and factual.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Context
Applicable in various contexts including impact and significance.
Used particularly in formal, scientific, and measurement contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Interchangeable
Often interchangeable with "large," but not in specific idioms and expressions.
Often interchangeable with "big," but not in specific idioms and expressions.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 15, 2023
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Big and Large Definitions
Big
Of considerable size, extent, or intensity.
The big tree overshadowed the small cottage.
Janet White
Sep 21, 2023
Large
Of greater size than the average or standard.
The large pizza is enough for four people.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 21, 2023
Large
Of considerable capacity or dimensions.
The large tank can hold 500 gallons of water.
Harlon Moss
Sep 21, 2023
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Large
Important; significant
Had a large role in the negotiations.
A large producer of paper goods.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Of great magnitude or intensity; grand
“a rigid resistance to the large emotions” (Stephen Koch).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
Russia is a large country.
The fruit-fly has large eyes for its body size.
He has a large collection of stamps.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
(Informal) Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular
"The Minneapolis indie-rock band was big in the blogosphere, beloved by hipsters, and unknown to pretty much everyone else" (Robert Levine).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
(nautical) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
An old musical note, equal to two longas, four breves, or eight semibreves.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
A thousand dollars/pounds.
Getting a car tricked out like that will cost you 50 large.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
(informal) Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.
Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
One small coffee and two larges, please.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
(informal) Adult; (of a child) older.
Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen.
We were just playing, and then some big kids came and chased us away.
She did it all on her own like a big girl.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
.informal Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.
That's very big of you; thank you!
I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; - opposed to small; as, a large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.
We have yet large day.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.
I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; - said of the mind and heart.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
(informal) Used as an intensifier, especially of negative-valence nouns
You are a big liar.
Why are you in such a big hurry?
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Operating on a large scale, especially if therefore having undue or sinister influence.
There were concerns about the ethics of big pharma.
Big money
Big Tech, Big Steel (large or influential tech or steel companies)
Big Science (science performed by large terms, of large scope, with government or corporate funding)
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Enthusiastic (about).
I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; - said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A large city
Set out for the big city
A large sum
A big (or large) barn
A large family
Big businesses
A big expenditure
A large number of newspapers
A big group of scientists
Large areas of the world
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Fairly large or important in effect; influential;
Played a large role in the negotiations
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
(university slang) A initiated member of a sorority who acts as a mentor to a new member (the little).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Ostentatiously lofty in style;
A man given to large talk
Tumid political prose
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Generous and understanding and tolerant;
A heart big enough to hold no grudges
That's very big of you to be so forgiving
A large and generous spirit
A large heart
Magnanimous toward his enemies
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Conspicuous in position or importance;
A big figure in the movement
Big man on campus
He's very large in financial circles
A prominent citizen
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Having broad power and range and scope;
Taking the large view
A large effect
A large sympathy
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce; - often figuratively.
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Encompassing a great quantity or extent.
A large portion of the population voted.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Big
Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation, distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument.
I talked big to them at first.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
More formal and often used in written language and measurements.
She ordered a large coffee.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 21, 2023
Big
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
"Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now with bigg."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Large
Frequently describes dimensions, capacity, and quantity in a neutral manner.
The company has a large workforce.
Sara Rehman
Sep 21, 2023
Big
Above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A large city
Set out for the big city
A large sum
A big (or large) barn
A large family
Big businesses
A big expenditure
A large number of newspapers
A big group of scientists
Large areas of the world
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Of very great significance;
Deciding to drop the atom bomb was a very big decision
A momentous event
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position or importance;
A big figure in the movement
Big man on campus
He's very large in financial circles
A prominent citizen
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Very intense;
A bad headache
In a big rage
Had a big (or bad) shock
A bad earthquake
A bad storm
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Generous and understanding and tolerant;
A heart big enough to hold no grudges
That's very big of you to be so forgiving
A large and generous spirit
A large heart
Magnanimous toward his enemies
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Big
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
FAQs
Can Large be more objective?
Yes, large is often more objective and factual, especially in formal and scientific contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Does Big emphasize appearance?
Yes, big often emphasizes physical dimensions and appearance.
Harlon Moss
Oct 15, 2023
Is Large used in measurements?
Yes, large is frequently used in written language and measurements.
Sara Rehman
Oct 15, 2023
Is Large applicable in quantifying?
Yes, large is often used to represent extensive amounts, numbers, or volumes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Is Big more informal than Large?
Yes, big is considered more informal and is commonly used in everyday speech.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Does Big have a broader application?
Yes, big is versatile and can be applied in various contexts, including describing impact and significance.
Harlon Moss
Oct 15, 2023
Are Big and Large synonymous?
Yes, they are often synonymous but have different connotations and uses.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Can Big reflect personal perceptions?
Yes, big can be more subjective, reflecting personal perceptions of size or importance.
Janet White
Oct 15, 2023
Can Large describe capacity?
Yes, large is suitable to describe considerable capacity or dimensions.
Harlon Moss
Oct 15, 2023
Can you use Big in formal writing?
It can be used, but large is generally more appropriate in formal and scientific writing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
Are there idioms where they aren’t interchangeable?
Yes, in idioms like “big brother” and “at large,” they are not interchangeable.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 15, 2023
Is Large more neutral?
Yes, large tends to be more neutral and doesn’t necessarily emphasize visual aspect.
Harlon Moss
Oct 15, 2023
Do Big and Large have specific cultural meanings?
Yes, both words can have different implications and meanings depending on cultural and contextual nuances.
Janet White
Oct 15, 2023
Can Big denote significance?
Yes, big can denote something of great importance or consequence.
Sara Rehman
Oct 15, 2023
Is Large more precise in measurements?
Yes, large is often more precise and factual when measurements are involved.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 15, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
