1large [usually before noun] very large in amount or degree: The movie was a great success. The news came as possibly the greatest shock of my life. The paintings cost a great deal (=a lot) of money. John always takes great care over his work.It gives me great pleasure (=I am very pleased) to introduce tonight’s speaker.It’s a great pity that none of his poems survive. The temptation was too great to resist.► see thesaurus at
big
2excellent especially spokenvery goodSYN wonderful, fantastic: The weather here is great. It’s great to be home. a great day out for all the familysound/taste/smell/feel etc great I worked out this morning and I feel great. You look great in that dress.great for doing something Email’s great for keeping in touch.the great thing about somebody/something (=the very good thing about someone or something) The great thing about Alex is that he’s always willing to explain things to you.► see thesaurus at
good
,
nice
GRAMMARGreat is not used with ‘very’ in this meaning. You say: · You did a really great job.✗Don’t say: You did a very great job.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVES3importanta)[usually before noun] important or having a lot of influence: one of the greatest scientific achievements of our time What makes a novel truly great? great historical eventsb)used in the title of a person or event that was very important in the pastPeter/Catherine etc the Great I’m reading a biography of Alexander the Great. the Great Depressionthe Great War old-fashioned (=World War I)4generous very good or generous in a way that people admire: a great humanitarian gesture5extremely skilful famous for being able to do something extremely well: Ali was undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time. a book about the lives of the great composers6big written very bigSYN huge: A great crowd had gathered. A great iron stove filled half the room.7great big spoken very big: Get your great big feet off my table!8doing something a lot used to emphasize that someone does something a lota great talker/reader/admirer etc Anthony’s a great talker – sometimes you just can’t get a word in. Len was a great believer in the power of positive thinking.be a great one for doing something She’s a great one for telling stories about her schooldays.9to a greater or lesser extent used to emphasize that something is always true, even though it is more true or noticeable in some situations than others: Most companies operate in conditions that are to a greater or lesser extent competitive.10be no great shakes informal to not be very good, interesting, or skilful: The work’s no great shakes, but at least I’m earning.11be going great guns informal to be doing something extremely well: After a slow start, the Tigers are going great guns.12bad spoken informal used when you are disappointed or annoyed about something: ‘Daniel’s cancelled the party.’ ‘Oh great!’13animal/bird/plant etc used in the names of some animals or plants, especially when they are bigger than other animals or plants of the same type: the Great Crested Grebe14the great outdoors informal the countryside, considered as enjoyable and healthy: He had a taste for adventure and the great outdoors.15great minds (think alike) spoken used humorously when you and another person have had the same idea16the greater good a general advantage that you can only gain by losing or harming something that is considered less important: Some wars are fought for the greater good.17the great apes the different types of animals that are similar to large monkeys, considered as a group: Alone of the great apes, the gorilla is not very efficient at using tools.18the great divide a situation in which there is a big difference between groups in society, areas of a country etc, for example a big difference between their wealth or attitudes: The great divide between north and south seems to be as unbridgeable as ever.19Greater London/Los Angeles/Manchester etc London, Los Angeles etc and its outer areas20huge/enormous great British English spoken used to emphasize how big something is21great Scott!/great Heavens! spoken old-fashioned used to express shock or surprise22great with child literary very soon to have a baby—greatness noun [uncountable]: She was destined for greatness.
WDF
greatness
[ɡreɪtnəs]
n9060
1968
280
251
504
458
475
NOUN9135
64544
Spoken:
57083791
伟大(92%),巨大(5%),崇高(3%)
n.伟大;巨大
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