Language Research

large · adjective

/lɑrdʒ/Full view

Word family

Nouns: enlargement

Adjectives: large, enlarged

Verbs: enlarge

Adverbs: largely

large

A2 big in size or amount

Dictionary examples:

a large house

the world's largest computer manufacturer

I’d like a large soda.

This apartment is much larger than our last one.

We didn't expect such a large number of people to attend the concert.

We've made good progress, but there's still a large amount of work to be done.

Learner example:

It's the new Nokia 380S. I like its large screen and its video camera. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

by and large

C1 in general

Dictionary example:

By and large, people have welcomed the changes.

Learner example:

I would say that, by and large, tourism in the world today is more beneficial than harmful. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

sb/sth at large

C2 people or things in general

Dictionary example:

This group is not representative of the population at large.

Learner example:

Television - sometimes also described as the "idiot box" - has been accused of turning a whole generation into "couch potatoes" and blamed for every malady affecting the society at large. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Gujarati)

loom large

C2 If something looms large, it becomes very important and often causes worry.

Dictionary example:

The issue of pay will loom large at this year's conference.

Learner example:

It was, she dreaded to admit, a sense of regret. She shock her head as if doing so shooed the feeling away. On the contrary, however, it was looming large while she was stamping along the busy street. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)