Big vs. Small: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Big refers to large size, quantity, or importance, while small denotes a lesser size, amount, or significance.
Key Differences
Big often describes something of large size, indicating greater dimensions or volume, as in a big house. In contrast, small refers to lesser dimensions or volume, like a small apartment.
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Dec 12, 2023
In terms of impact or importance, big implies something of significant consequence or value, such as a big decision. Small, however, often denotes lesser importance or impact, as in a small detail.
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Dec 12, 2023
In quantitative terms, big can denote a large amount or number, like a big crowd. Small signifies a lesser amount or fewer in number, such as a small group.
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Dec 12, 2023
Big is also used to indicate a high degree or intensity, like big excitement. Small, on the other hand, often implies a low degree or minimal intensity, as in small concern.
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Dec 12, 2023
The perception of big can vary based on context, being relative to what is considered normal or standard. Similarly, small is also relative and depends on the standard or average being compared to.
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Dec 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Degree or Intensity
High degree or intensity
Low degree or minimal intensity
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Dec 12, 2023
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Big and Small 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Being below average in quantity or extent
A small donation.
A small project.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Having limited position, influence, or status; minor
"A crowd of small writers had vainly attempted to rival Addison" (Thomas Macaulay).
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Unpretentious; modest
Made a small living.
Helped the cause in my own small way.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
A part that is smaller or narrower than the rest
The small of the back.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
A small serving of ice cream.
A small group.
He made us all feel small.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
(figuratively) Young, as a child.
Remember when the children were small?
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Humiliated or insignificant.
The bullies had succeeded in making him feel small.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short.
A small space of time
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
That is small the manufactured size.
I'll have a small coffee, thanks.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
Two smalls and a large, please.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Having little size, compared with other things of the same kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large or extended in dimension; not great; not much; inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river.
To compareGreat things with small.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; - sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
The small or slender part of a thing; as, the small of the leg or of the back.
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
"Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now with bigg."
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Of very great significance;
Deciding to drop the atom bomb was a very big decision
A momentous event
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A little dining room
A little house
A small car
A little (or small) group
A small voice
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Limited in size or scope;
A small business
A newspaper with a modest circulation
Small-scale plans
A pocket-size country
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Not large but sufficient in size or amount;
A modest salary
Modest inflation
Helped in my own small way
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Dec 05, 2023
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope;
A series of death struggles with small time in between
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth);
Her comments made me feel small
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Dec 05, 2023
Small
Lowercase;
Little a
Small a
E.e.cummings's poetry is written all in minuscule letters
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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 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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Dec 05, 2023
Big
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
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Dec 05, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is 'big' used in a figurative sense?
Yes, it can denote significance or intensity, not just size.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Does 'big' always mean physically large?
No, it can also refer to importance, intensity, or quantity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can 'small' be subjective?
Yes, small is often relative to what is considered average or standard.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is 'big' relative in terms of importance?
Yes, what's big in importance can vary by context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
What does 'big' imply in physical terms?
It implies large size or dimensions.
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Dec 12, 2023
What does a 'small gesture' imply?
It implies a gesture of minor but meaningful importance.
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Dec 12, 2023
How is 'small' used in a quantitative context?
It denotes a lesser amount or number.
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Dec 12, 2023
What is a 'big picture' perspective?
It means considering the overall, broader aspect of a situation.
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Dec 12, 2023
What does 'small-minded' mean?
It refers to a person with a narrow or limited perspective.
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Dec 12, 2023
What does 'small talk' mean?
Casual or trivial conversation about non-essential topics.
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Dec 12, 2023
What does 'small-scale' imply?
It refers to something limited in size, scope, or extent.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is 'big' used in expressions?
Yes, like 'big deal' meaning something of great importance.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is 'small' synonymous with insignificant?
Not always, as something small can still hold significance.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can 'small' be positive?
Yes, in contexts like 'small but mighty' or 'small and cozy.'
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Dec 12, 2023
How is 'small' used in describing physical sensations?
It can describe a minimal or slight sensation.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does 'big' imply superiority?
Not necessarily, it mainly refers to size, quantity, or importance.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can 'big' refer to a person's character?
Yes, as in a 'big-hearted' person, meaning generous or kind.
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Dec 12, 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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