Largest: meaning, definitions and examples

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largest

 

[ˈlɑːrdʒɪst ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

size

Of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity.

Synonyms

biggest, greatest, most spacious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
largest

Refers to the size of something being the biggest in area, volume, or number.

  • The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth
  • This is the largest shopping mall in the city
biggest

Also refers to the size, but can be more informal and used in both physical and abstract contexts.

  • She has the biggest smile I've ever seen
  • This is the biggest mistake you can make in this project
greatest

Used to indicate the highest degree of something, typically involving quality, importance, or effort. It often has a positive connotation.

  • He is considered the greatest scientist of our time
  • This novel is one of her greatest works
most spacious

Specifically refers to the amount of space available or the impression of space within a certain area.

  • This room is the most spacious in the house
  • We chose this venue because it was the most spacious option

Examples of usage

  • The largest room in the house is the living room.
  • She wore the largest dress at the party.
Context #2 | Adjective

amount

Of great size or amount.

Synonyms

greatest, major, most significant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
largest

This word is often used to describe physical size and dimensions. It can refer to objects, spaces, populations, or quantities.

  • The largest city in the country is Tokyo.
  • She has the largest collection of stamps I have ever seen.
greatest

This term is generally used to describe the highest degree of quality, excellence, or importance, often in an abstract sense.

  • He is considered the greatest poet of his time.
  • The greatest challenge we face is climate change.
most significant

This phrase is used to highlight the supreme importance or impact of something, often in formal or serious contexts.

  • The most significant development in science this year was the discovery of a new particle.
  • Her contribution to the project was the most significant.
major

This word is frequently used to describe things of significant but not necessarily the highest importance. It often appears in more formal contexts or descriptions.

  • The major cities in the country are facing budget issues.
  • A major shift in policy was announced yesterday.

Examples of usage

  • He won the largest prize at the competition.
  • This is the largest donation we have ever received.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 'Largest' comes from the Old French word 'larg', meaning wide or ample.
  • The root word 'large' has been used since the 14th century to describe something of significant size.
  • Adding '-est' is a common way in English to show the superlative form of an adjective, indicating it's the most of that quality.

Science

  • The largest mammal in the world is the blue whale, which can weigh as much as 200 tons.
  • In botany, the largest living tree by volume is a giant sequoia named General Sherman.
  • The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers off the coast of Australia.

Geography

  • The largest country in the world by land area is Russia, spanning over 17 million square kilometers.
  • In terms of population, China holds the title of the largest country, with over 1.4 billion people.
  • The largest desert by area is Antarctica, which is classified as a cold desert despite its ice.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, the concept of 'largest' often relates to defining a maximum value within a dataset or set.
  • The largest prime number known as of October 2023 has over 24 million digits.
  • In geometry, the largest angle measure is 360 degrees in a full circle, showcasing the limit of angular size.

Pop Culture

  • In cinema, 'The Largest' is often a theme in movies showcasing epic battles or grand adventures.
  • Giant animals like King Kong have been popularized in films, reinforcing the fascination with the concept of 'largest'.
  • World records often celebrate the largest achievements, like the tallest buildings or biggest events, in shows like 'Guinness World Records'.

Translations

Translations of the word "largest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 maior

🇮🇳 सबसे बड़ा

🇩🇪 größte

🇮🇩 terbesar

🇺🇦 найбільший

🇵🇱 największy

🇯🇵 最大の

🇫🇷 le plus grand

🇪🇸 más grande

🇹🇷 en büyük

🇰🇷 가장 큰

🇸🇦 الأكبر

🇨🇿 největší

🇸🇰 najväčší

🇨🇳 最大的

🇸🇮 največji

🇮🇸 stærstur

🇰🇿 ең үлкен

🇬🇪 ყველაზე დიდი

🇦🇿 ən böyük

🇲🇽 más grande

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,456, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.