1. adj. Relatively large in scale, size, extent, number (i. e. having many parts or members) or duration (i. e. relatively long); very big.
A great storm is approaching our shores.
a great assembly
a great wait
2. adj. Of larger size or more importance than others of its kind.
the great auk
3. adj. (qualifying nouns of family relationship) Involving more generations than the word qualified implies (from 1510s). see Derived terms
great-grandfather
4. adj. (obsolete, postpositive, followed by 'with') Pregnant; large with young; full of.
great with child
great with hope
5. adj. (obsolete, except with 'friend' and similar words such as 'mate','buddy') Intimate; familiar.
6. adj. Extreme or more than usual.
great worry
7. adj. Of significant importance or consequence; important.
a great decision
8. adj. (applied to actions, thoughts and feelings) Arising from or possessing idealism; admirable; superior; commanding; heroic; illustrious; eminent.
a great deed
a great nature
a great history
9. adj. Impressive or striking.
a great show of wealth
10. adj. Much in use; favoured.
Poetry was a great convention of the Romantic era.
11. adj. (applied to persons) Endowed with extraordinary powers; of exceptional talents or achievements; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; remarkable; strong; powerful; mighty; noble.
a great hero, scholar, genius, philosopher, writer etc.
12. adj. Title referring to an important leader.
Alexander the Great
13. adj. Doing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scale; active or enthusiastic.
What a great buffoon!
He's not a great one for reading.
a great walker
14. adj. (often followed by 'at') Skilful or adroit.
a great carpenter
You are great at singing.
15. adj. (informal) Very good; excellent; wonderful; fantastic (from 1848).
Dinner was great.
16. adj. (informal, British) Intensifying a word or expression, used in mild oaths.
a dirty great smack in the face
Great Scott!
17. interj. Expression of gladness and content about something.
Great! Thanks for the wonderful work.
18. interj. sarcastic inversion thereof.
Oh, great! I just dumped all 500 sheets of the manuscript all over and now I have to put them back in order.
19. subst. A person of major significance, accomplishment or acclaim.
Newton and Einstein are two of the greats of the history of science.
20. subst. (music) The main division in a pipe organ, usually the loudest division.
21. adv. very well (in a very satisfactory manner)
Those mechanical colored pencils work great because they don't have to be sharpened.