Big vs. Huge: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Big refers to a large size or extent, while Huge indicates a size or extent that is exceptionally large or great, often exceeding normal expectations.
Key Differences
Big is used to describe objects, people, or concepts that are larger than average, but the term Huge implies a size or scale that is much greater than big, often to a surprising or impressive degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
In everyday language, Big can refer to physical size, importance, or degree, but Huge often conveys a sense of being significantly larger or more important than what is considered big.
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Nov 28, 2023
Big is a more common and versatile adjective, suitable for a wide range of contexts, whereas Huge is used for emphasis, to express an extreme level of size, impact, or intensity.
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Nov 28, 2023
The term Big can also be used metaphorically to indicate significance, as in "a big decision," while Huge in a metaphorical sense usually emphasizes a much greater level of importance or impact.
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Nov 28, 2023
While Big is a relative term and can be used in a broad spectrum of situations, Huge is absolute and often denotes an extent or degree that is beyond the ordinary or expected.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Relative Size
Large, but within normal expectations
Exceptionally large, beyond normal
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Nov 28, 2023
Frequency of Use
Common and versatile in use
Used less frequently for emphasis
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Nov 28, 2023
Contexts
Physical size, importance, degree
Extremely large size or importance
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Nov 28, 2023
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Big and Huge Definitions
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Big
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
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Oct 19, 2023
Huge
Of exceedingly great scope or nature
The huge influence of the Hellenic world.
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Oct 19, 2023
Huge
(Informal) Contributing in a major way to success; very important
The defensive line was huge in the second half.
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Oct 19, 2023
Huge
(informal) Very strong, powerful, or dedicated.
Both of my parents are huge supporters of animal rights.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
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Oct 19, 2023
Huge
(informal) Very interesting, significant, or popular.
The band's next album is going to be huge.
In our league our coach is huge!
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Huge
Very large; enormous; immense; excessive; - used esp. of material bulk, but often of qualities, extent, etc.; as, a huge ox; a huge space; a huge difference.
Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea.
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Oct 19, 2023
Huge
Unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope;
Huge government spending
Huge country estates
Huge popular demand for higher education
A huge wave
The Los Angeles aqueduct winds like an immense snake along the base of the mountains
Immense numbers of birds
At vast (or immense) expense
The vast reaches of outer space
The vast accumulation of knowledge...which we call civilization
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
(Informal) Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular
"The Minneapolis indie-rock band was big in the blogosphere, beloved by hipsters, and unknown to pretty much everyone else" (Robert Levine).
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
(informal) Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.
Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
(informal) Adult; (of a child) older.
Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen.
We were just playing, and then some big kids came and chased us away.
She did it all on her own like a big girl.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
.informal Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.
That's very big of you; thank you!
I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
(informal) Used as an intensifier, especially of negative-valence nouns
You are a big liar.
Why are you in such a big hurry?
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Operating on a large scale, especially if therefore having undue or sinister influence.
There were concerns about the ethics of big pharma.
Big money
Big Tech, Big Steel (large or influential tech or steel companies)
Big Science (science performed by large terms, of large scope, with government or corporate funding)
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Enthusiastic (about).
I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
(university slang) A initiated member of a sorority who acts as a mentor to a new member (the little).
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce; - often figuratively.
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation, distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument.
I talked big to them at first.
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
"Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now with bigg."
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A large city
Set out for the big city
A large sum
A big (or large) barn
A large family
Big businesses
A big expenditure
A large number of newspapers
A big group of scientists
Large areas of the world
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Of very great significance;
Deciding to drop the atom bomb was a very big decision
A momentous event
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position or importance;
A big figure in the movement
Big man on campus
He's very large in financial circles
A prominent citizen
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Very intense;
A bad headache
In a big rage
Had a big (or bad) shock
A bad earthquake
A bad storm
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Generous and understanding and tolerant;
A heart big enough to hold no grudges
That's very big of you to be so forgiving
A large and generous spirit
A large heart
Magnanimous toward his enemies
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
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Oct 19, 2023
Big
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is huge different from big?
Huge implies a size or degree that is exceptionally large.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is huge always about physical size?
No, it can also refer to impact, scope, or importance.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can big and huge be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but huge often conveys greater emphasis.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can big be used metaphorically?
Yes, to indicate significance or importance.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is huge used more in casual or formal language?
More in casual language for emphasis.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does huge imply surprise?
Often, due to its emphasis on extreme size or importance.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is huge a relative term?
It's more absolute, indicating something beyond normal.
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Nov 28, 2023
How is big used in business?
To refer to major companies or significant profits.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can huge be used to describe emotions?
Yes, like "huge relief" or "huge excitement."
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Nov 28, 2023
How does huge impact storytelling?
It adds drama or emphasis to descriptions.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does huge suggest an element of awe?
Yes, it often conveys awe or amazement.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is huge appropriate for formal documents?
Less so, it's more suited to expressive or informal contexts.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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