Big vs. Tall: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Big" generally refers to overall size or volume, while "Tall" specifically denotes height.
Key Differences
"Big" encompasses a broad sense of size, indicating something with substantial dimensions in width, depth, or volume. "Tall", on the other hand, is a specific measure of height, often used to describe objects or people that have a notable vertical extent.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
When something is "Big", it can also imply a considerable mass or weight. "Tall" lacks this connotation, focusing solely on the aspect of vertical measurement and stature.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
The term "Big" is versatile, applicable to both physical objects and abstract concepts (like a big idea). "Tall" is more literal, primarily used for physical descriptions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
In describing people, "Big" can refer to a combination of height, build, and overall physical presence, while "Tall" specifically refers to someone with above-average height.
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Dec 16, 2023
"Big" can be used in comparative or qualitative contexts (a big apple vs. a bigger apple), while "Tall" is often an absolute measure (a tall building, a tall person).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Common Usage in Describing People
Overall physique and presence
Specifically height
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Dec 16, 2023
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Big and Tall Definitions
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Tall
Having considerable height, especially in relation to width; lofty
Tall trees.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
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Dec 10, 2023
Tall
(Informal) Fanciful or exaggerated; boastful
Tall tales of heroic exploits.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
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Dec 10, 2023
Tall
(of a person) Having a vertical extent greater than the average. For example, somebody with a height of over 6 feet would generally be considered to be tall.
Being tall is an advantage in basketball.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Tall
(of a building, etc.) Having its top a long way up; having a great vertical (and often greater than horizontal) extent; high.
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Dec 10, 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 10, 2023
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
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Dec 10, 2023
Tall
(obsolete) Seemly; suitable; fitting, becoming, comely; attractive, handsome.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
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Dec 10, 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 10, 2023
Tall
A tall serving of a drink, especially one from Starbucks, which contains 12 ounces.
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Dec 10, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Tall
High in stature; having a considerable, or an unusual, extension upward; long and comparatively slender; having the diameter or lateral extent small in proportion to the height; as, a tall person, tree, or mast.
Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
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Dec 10, 2023
Tall
Brave; bold; courageous.
As tall a trenchermanAs e'er demolished a pye fortification.
His companions, being almost in despair of victory, were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley, which came to succors with three thousand tall men.
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Dec 10, 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 10, 2023
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
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Dec 10, 2023
Tall
Great in vertical dimension; high in stature;
Tall people
Tall buildings
Tall trees
Tall ships
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
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Dec 10, 2023
Tall
Lofty in style;
He engages in so much tall talk, one never really realizes what he is saying
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Dec 10, 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 10, 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 10, 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 10, 2023
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
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Dec 10, 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 10, 2023
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 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 10, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 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 10, 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 10, 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 10, 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 10, 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 10, 2023
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
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Dec 10, 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 10, 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 10, 2023
Big
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
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Dec 10, 2023
Big
Generous or considerable in amount.
He made a big donation to the charity.
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Dec 11, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does "big" imply weight?
It can, especially when describing physical objects or people.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is "big" only used for physical size?
No, "big" can describe both physical size and abstract concepts, like a big idea.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can "big" be qualitative?
Yes, it can denote significance or importance, not just size.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can "big" refer to emotional impact?
Yes, like a big decision or a big moment.
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Dec 16, 2023
Can "tall" be used for objects other than people?
Yes, "tall" is often used for objects with notable height, like buildings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Does "tall" always mean physically taller than average?
Generally, yes, especially in reference to people.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is "tall" a relative term?
Yes, it's often used relative to average heights in a given context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can "tall" imply implausibility?
In expressions like "tall tale," it implies exaggeration.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is "tall" subjective?
To some extent, as perceptions of tallness vary by context and culture.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can "big" be used in a comparative sense?
Absolutely, like bigger, biggest.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Does "tall" have any idiomatic uses?
Yes, in phrases like "tall order" or "tall tale."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is "big" used in sports?
Yes, for significant games or players with large physiques.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Does "tall" have a standard measurement?
It varies based on context, but generally means above average height.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can "tall" describe non-physical traits?
Rarely, but it's used metaphorically, like "tall ambitions."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is "tall" used in fashion?
Yes, particularly in clothing sizes for above-average height.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can "big" describe emotions?
Yes, like a big heart (generous) or big spirit (enthusiastic).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Does "big" apply to sounds or voices?
Yes, it can describe loud or powerful sounds.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 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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