Definitions
1.nounA person of major significance, accomplishment or acclaim."Newton and Einstein are two of the greats of the history of science."
2.nounThe main division in a pipe organ, usually the loudest division.
3.noun(in combinations such as "two-greats", "three-greats" etc.) An instance of the word "great" signifying an additional generation in phrases expressing family relationships."My three-greats grandmother."
4.adjectiveRelatively large in scale, size, extent, number (i.e. having many parts or members) or duration (i.e. relatively long); very big."A great storm is approaching our shores."
5.adjectiveOf larger size or more importance than others of its kind."the great auk"
6.adjective(qualifying nouns of family relationship) Involving more generations than the qualified word implies — as many extra generations as repetitions of the word great (from 1510s). [see Derived terms]"great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-grandfather"
7.adjective(followed by 'with') Pregnant; large with young; full of."great with child"
8.adjective(except with 'friend' and similar words such as 'mate','buddy') Intimate; familiar.
9.adjectiveExtreme or more than usual."great worry"
10.adjectiveOf significant importance or consequence; important."a great decision"
11.adjective(applied to actions, thoughts and feelings) Arising from or possessing idealism; admirable; superior; commanding; heroic; illustrious; eminent."a great deed"
12.adjectiveImpressive or striking."a great show of wealth"
13.adjectiveMuch in use; favoured."Poetry was a great convention of the Romantic era."
14.adjective(applied to persons) Endowed with extraordinary powers; of exceptional talents or achievements; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; remarkable; strong; powerful; mighty; noble."a great hero, scholar, genius, philosopher, writer etc."
15.adjectiveTitle referring to an important leader."Alexander the Great"
16.adjectiveDoing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scale; active or enthusiastic."He's not a great one for reading."
17.adjective(often followed by 'at') Skilful or adroit."You are great at singing."
18.adjectiveVery good; excellent; wonderful; fantastic (from 1848)."Dinner was great."
19.adjectiveIntensifying a word or expression, used in mild oaths."Great Scott!"
20.adverbVery well (in a very satisfactory manner)."Those mechanical colored pencils work great because they don't have to be sharpened."
21.interjectionExpression of gladness and content about something."Great! Thanks for the wonderful work."
22.interjectionSarcastic inversion thereof."Oh, great! I just dumped all 500 sheets of the manuscript all over and now I have to put them back in order."