big-time

1 of 3

adjective

ˈbig-ˌtīm How to pronounce big-time (audio)
Synonyms of big-timenext
: relating to or involved in the big time
big-time sports
also : major sense 4
big-time operators

big-time

2 of 3

adverb

: in a major or large-scale way
the new show bombed big-time
also : to a great extent or degree
owes me big-time

big time

3 of 3

noun

-ˌtīm How to pronounce big time (audio)
1
: a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
2
: the top rank of an activity or enterprise
big-timer
ˈbig-ˌtī-mər How to pronounce big time (audio)
noun

Synonyms

Adverb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of big-time in a Sentence

Adverb wow, those renovations improved the library big-time Noun the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
While there are plenty of big-time sporting events, few capture the public's imagination like March Madness. — Joe Kozlowski, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 Even as an amateur, he’s gotten to see what big-time boxing is all about. — Tony Paige, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Read more:Recent live events, rise of David Benavidez show boxing is thriving in Arizona Familia Ramos Anyone who has watched Jesús Ramos fight can see that there is big-time potential in the 22-year-old super welterweight. — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023 All those things can be potential avenues for big-time infections. — Ambar Castillo, STAT, 23 Mar. 2023
Noun
Still, a focus on well-being means a focus on customer trust, and customer trust pays off big time. — Drew Gerber, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Costing $600 million, the destination is the latest in major cruise carriers betting big time on private islands or resorts built from the ground up. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big-time

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1910, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of big-time was in 1910

Rhymes for big-time

See All Rhymes for big-time

Browse Nearby Words

big-time
big time
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big-time. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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