Bigwig: meaning, definitions and examples

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bigwig

 

[ ˈbɪɡwɪɡ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

important person

A bigwig is an important person, especially in a particular sphere or group. They are often influential and have a high social status.

Synonyms

VIP, high up, muckety-muck.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bigwig

Use this when referring to someone important or influential in a particular organization or field, often informally and sometimes humorously.

  • She's a bigwig in the fashion industry.
  • The company’s bigwigs are meeting to discuss the merger.
VIP

Short for 'Very Important Person', this term is widely used in contexts where special status, privileges, or treatment is given.

  • The concert has a VIP section for special guests.
  • He enrolled in the VIP loyalty program to get extra benefits.
high up

This term describes someone who holds a high position within an organization, rarely used and often in casual conversation.

  • He’s pretty high up in the company now.
  • You need to get permission from someone higher up to make that decision.
muckety-muck

This word refers to an important person but is often used with a sarcastic or negative connotation.

  • All the muckety-mucks will be at the gala tonight.
  • I’m just a regular employee; leave the muckety-muck tasks to the higher-ups.

Examples of usage

  • He was a bigwig in the entertainment industry.
  • The bigwig of the company made an appearance at the event.
  • She acted like a bigwig, ordering everyone around.
Context #2 | Noun

wig with large curls

In historical context, a bigwig refers to a wig with large curls, typically worn by wealthy or prominent individuals in the past.

Synonyms

full-bottomed wig, periwig.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bigwig

Used in the same way as 'bigwig,' meaning an important and influential person.

  • The bigwigs from the board have arrived
  • She became a bigwig in the world of fashion
periwig

This is another term for an elaborate wig worn in the 17th and 18th centuries, often in historical or literary contexts.

  • In historical novels, you might read about characters donning periwigs
  • The judges in the old courts wore periwigs
full-bottomed wig

This is a type of elaborate wig that was worn by men, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. The context is often historical or theatrical.

  • Actors in period dramas often wear full-bottomed wigs
  • In the 18th century, gentlemen wore full-bottomed wigs to formal events

Examples of usage

  • The nobleman wore a bigwig to the royal ball.
  • The bigwig was a symbol of status and wealth in the 18th century.

Translations

Translations of the word "bigwig" in other languages:

🇵🇹 figurão

🇮🇳 बड़ा आदमी

🇩🇪 hohes Tier

🇮🇩 orang penting

🇺🇦 важлива персона

🇵🇱 gruba ryba

🇯🇵 大物

🇫🇷 gros bonnet

🇪🇸 pez gordo

🇹🇷 önemli kişi

🇰🇷 거물

🇸🇦 شخصية مهمة

🇨🇿 velká zvíře

🇸🇰 veľká ryba

🇨🇳 大人物

🇸🇮 velika glava

🇮🇸 stórt nafn

🇰🇿 маңызды адам

🇬🇪 დიდი პიროვნება

🇦🇿 önəmli şəxs

🇲🇽 pez gordo

Etymology

The term 'bigwig' originated in the 17th century, combining 'big' (meaning important) and 'wig' (referring to the hairpiece). Initially, it was used to describe wealthy or influential individuals who wore elaborate wigs as a symbol of their status. Over time, the term evolved to encompass any important person in various contexts.

See also: big, bigger, biggest.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,557, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.