: relating to or involved in the big time
big-time sports
: in a major or large-scale way
the new show bombed big-time
also
: to a great extent or degree
owes me big-time
1
: a high-paying vaudeville circuit requiring only two performances a day
2
: the top rank of an activity or enterprise
Synonyms
Examples of big-time in a Sentence
Adverb
wow, those renovations improved the library big-time
Noun
the young ad execs knew that their agency had hit the big time when major corporations came calling
Recent Examples on the Web
Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 22 June 2024
The defense shut down big-time Chaminade receivers Jabari Brady, James Klaiss and Denairius Gray in the semifinal game.
—Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2024
José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023
All those things can be potential avenues for big-time infections.
—Ambar Castillo, STAT, 23 Mar. 2023
Kyler Alvord, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024
An investment in a brimmed hat, long-sleeve shirts and long pants made of sun-protective technical fabrics will pay off big time.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for big-time 
Adjective
In the past week, in the midst of a clear program shift toward recruiting big-time defensive talent from the South, two highly touted 2025 defensive line commits – Isaiah Gibson and Justus Terry – decommitted from USC.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 22 June 2024
The defense shut down big-time Chaminade receivers Jabari Brady, James Klaiss and Denairius Gray in the semifinal game.
—Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2024
Adverb
Read more:Recent live events, rise of David Benavidez show boxing is thriving in Arizona Familia Ramos Anyone who has watched Jesús Ramos fight can see that there is big-time potential in the 22-year-old super welterweight.
—José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023
All those things can be potential avenues for big-time infections.
—Ambar Castillo, STAT, 23 Mar. 2023
Noun
Cut costs big time with Frontier Airlines’ shockingly cheap one-way flight sales
Spring sales are in full swing at Frontier Airlines, where travelers can currently snag one-way flights as cheap as $14 between select locations on select dates.
—Kyler Alvord, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024
An investment in a brimmed hat, long-sleeve shirts and long pants made of sun-protective technical fabrics will pay off big time.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for big-time
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'big-time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near big-time
Cite this Entry
“Big-time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big-time. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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