Huge vs. Large: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Huge describes something exceptionally large, often surpassing normal size expectations, while large is a more general term indicating something bigger than average but not necessarily extraordinary.
Key Differences
'Huge' implies an exceptional, often surprising degree of size, suggesting something well beyond the ordinary or expected. 'Large', in contrast, refers to a size that is greater than average but doesn't necessarily evoke amazement or awe.
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Dec 26, 2023
In everyday language, 'large' is commonly used to describe objects, quantities, or areas that are noticeably bigger than average, but within a usual range. 'Huge', however, is often reserved for when the size of something is strikingly or remarkably large.
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Dec 26, 2023
The word 'huge' often carries an emotional weight, suggesting awe or impressiveness. 'Large', on the other hand, is more neutral and descriptive, lacking the emotional impact of 'huge'.
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Dec 26, 2023
In comparisons, 'huge' is used to emphasize a significant difference in size, while 'large' may be used to compare sizes within a more expected range. For instance, a 'huge' mountain compared to a hill, versus a 'large' hill compared to a smaller one.
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Dec 26, 2023
'Large' is a more commonly used term in everyday descriptions, fitting into a wide range of contexts. 'Huge' is used less frequently, typically reserved for instances where the size is particularly noteworthy or exceptional.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Degree of Size
Exceptionally large, beyond ordinary
Bigger than average, within usual range
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Contextual Use
Used for striking, remarkable sizes
Commonly used for noticeably bigger sizes
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Dec 26, 2023
Emotional Connotation
Often implies awe or impressiveness
More neutral, simply descriptive
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Dec 26, 2023
Comparative Degree
Emphasizes significant size difference
Used for more standard size comparisons
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Dec 26, 2023
Frequency of Use
Less frequent, for notable size
More frequent, in a wide range of contexts
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Huge and Large Definitions
Huge
Huge means extraordinarily large in size.
The huge elephant dwarfed the other animals.
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Large
Large means greater than average in size.
They bought a large house for their family.
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Huge
Huge suggests an overwhelming extent.
The project required a huge amount of resources.
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Large
Large implies considerable spaciousness.
The large room easily accommodated the guests.
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Huge
Huge can describe something impressively vast.
She gazed at the huge expanse of the ocean.
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Large
Large suggests a generous amount of space or quantity.
She served a large portion of pie.
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Huge
Huge often conveys awe-inspiring bigness.
The crowd was huge at the concert.
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Huge
Huge implies remarkable spaciousness.
They entered a huge, cavernous room.
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Large
Important; significant
Had a large role in the negotiations.
A large producer of paper goods.
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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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Huge
(Informal) Contributing in a major way to success; very important
The defensive line was huge in the second half.
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Large
Of great magnitude or intensity; grand
“a rigid resistance to the large emotions” (Stephen Koch).
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Huge
(informal) Very strong, powerful, or dedicated.
Both of my parents are huge supporters of animal rights.
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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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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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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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Large
Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
Russia is a large country.
The fruit-fly has large eyes for its body size.
He has a large collection of stamps.
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Large
(nautical) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.
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Large
An old musical note, equal to two longas, four breves, or eight semibreves.
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Large
A thousand dollars/pounds.
Getting a car tricked out like that will cost you 50 large.
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Large
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
One small coffee and two larges, please.
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Large
Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; - opposed to small; as, a large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.
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Large
Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.
We have yet large day.
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Large
Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.
I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education.
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Large
Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; - said of the mind and heart.
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Oct 19, 2023
Large
Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; - said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Large
A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.
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Oct 19, 2023
Large
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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Large
Fairly large or important in effect; influential;
Played a large role in the negotiations
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Large
Ostentatiously lofty in style;
A man given to large talk
Tumid political prose
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Large
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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Large
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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Large
Having broad power and range and scope;
Taking the large view
A large effect
A large sympathy
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Large
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
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Large
Large indicates significant extension or scope.
The company has a large number of employees.
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Large
Large can refer to a broad scope or range.
The museum had a large collection of artifacts.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does 'large' have emotional connotations?
'Large' is generally more neutral and lacks emotional connotations.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'huge' be used in scientific contexts?
'Huge' is less common in scientific contexts due to its subjective nature.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'large' more precise than 'huge'?
'Large' is more neutral and can be seen as more precise in some contexts.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'huge' imply significance beyond size?
Yes, 'huge' can also imply significance or importance beyond physical size.
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Dec 26, 2023
Does 'large' always imply bigness?
Yes, 'large' generally implies a size bigger than average.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'huge' always larger than 'large'?
Yes, 'huge' typically implies a size greater than 'large'.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'large' be used for populations?
Yes, 'large' can describe a sizable population.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'huge' appropriate in formal writing?
'Huge' can be used in formal writing but should be used sparingly.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'large' refer to quantities?
Yes, 'large' can refer to a substantial quantity of something.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'large' suitable for describing distances?
Yes, 'large' can be used to describe substantial distances.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'large' used in everyday language?
Yes, 'large' is a common term in everyday language.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'huge' subjective?
'Huge' can be subjective, depending on personal perception of size.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'huge' be relative?
Yes, 'huge' is often relative to what is considered normal in a context.
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Dec 26, 2023
How does 'huge' impact visual imagery?
'Huge' often creates a more dramatic visual image than 'large'.
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Dec 26, 2023
Does 'huge' have different meanings in different cultures?
The perception of what constitutes 'huge' may vary across cultures.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'large' be used to describe profits or losses?
Yes, 'large' can describe substantial profits or losses in business.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is 'large' used in mathematical contexts?
'Large' can be used in mathematics, often in a comparative sense.
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Dec 26, 2023
Does 'large' have historical meanings?
'Large' has been used historically, generally with a consistent meaning of size.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'huge' be used metaphorically?
Yes, 'huge' can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical concepts.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can 'huge' describe emotional reactions?
Yes, 'huge' can describe intense or strong emotional reactions.
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Dec 26, 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.