large

 
Pronunciation: /lɑːdʒ/

adjective

  • 1of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity: add a large clove of garlic the concert attracted large crowds the jumper comes in small, medium, and large sizes
  • pursuing a commercial activity on a significant scale: many large investors are likely to take a different view
  • 2of wide range or scope: we can afford to take a larger view of the situation

verb

[no object] (large it) British informal
  • enjoy oneself in a lively way with drink or drugs and music: Bez is known in clubland for his capacity for larging it people cannot large it for three or four nights a week and expect not to experience something negative

Phrases

at large

  • 1(especially of a criminal or dangerous animal) at liberty; escaped or not yet captured: the fugitive was still at large
  • 2as a whole; in general: there has been a loss of community values in society at large
  • 3US in a general way; without particularizing: he served as an ambassador at large in the Reagan Administration
  • 4 dated at length; in great detail: writing at large on the policies he wished to pursue

have (or give) it large

British informal go out and enjoy oneself, typically with drink or drugs; go clubbing: are you still having it large every weekend?

in large measure (or part)

to a great extent: the success of the conference was due in large part to its organizers

(as) large as life

see life

larger than life

see life

Derivatives

largeness

noun

largish

adjective

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'liberal in giving, lavish, ample in quantity'): via Old French from Latin larga, feminine of largus 'copious'