Big vs. Huge — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Both "big" and "huge" describe something of large size, but "huge" often implies a size that is extraordinarily or exceptionally large. "Big" is generally used for something that is large compared to others of its kind but not necessarily extraordinary.
Difference Between Big and Huge
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Key Differences
"Big" and "huge" are both adjectives used to describe something of considerable size or extent. However, they are not exactly synonymous, as their connotations differ slightly. "Big" is more flexible and can describe anything that is larger than average. For example, a big house might simply be larger than most houses in a neighborhood. "Huge," on the other hand, is often used to emphasize that something is exceptionally large, perhaps even unusually so.
The context in which "big" and "huge" are used can also help clarify their differences. "Big" is often used in everyday conversations and can describe not only physical size but also significance or importance. For instance, one might have a "big decision" to make. "Huge," however, is more often used to express astonishment or emphasis, like saying a "huge success" to emphasize the exceptional nature of that success.
Another aspect to consider is their relative strength as adjectives. In many contexts, "huge" can be seen as a stronger version of "big," emphasizing the aspect of size to a greater extent. For instance, calling a mountain "big" might simply mean it stands out among other geographical features, while calling it "huge" suggests it's extraordinary in its largeness.
Both "big" and "huge" can be used in various grammatical forms, but their adaptability is slightly different. "Big" is often used in comparative and superlative forms, like "bigger" and "biggest," and can even be used as an adverb in informal speech, such as "He talks big." "Huge" is generally less flexible and is primarily used as an adjective.
Comparison Chart
Relative Size
Larger than average
Exceptionally large
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Context
Everyday, versatile
Emphasis, astonishment
Strength
Moderate
Strong
Grammatical Forms
Adjective, adverb
Primarily adjective
Scope
Size, importance
Primarily size
Compare with Definitions
Big
Larger than average in size or number.
The dog was big for its breed.
Huge
Exceptionally large in size or dimensions.
The canyon was huge.
Big
Commonly used in everyday language.
We have a big problem.
Huge
Not commonly used in comparative or superlative forms.
The elephant was huge, not huger or hugest.
Big
Of considerable size or extent
Big staff cuts
Big buildings
Her big hazel eyes
Huge
Used to emphasize something as surprising or noteworthy.
That was a huge mistake.
Big
Of considerable importance or seriousness
It's a big decision
His biggest problem is money
He made a big mistake
Huge
Greater than average in degree or intensity.
The event was a huge success.
Big
Generous
‘I'm inclined to take pity on you.’ ‘That's big of you!’
Huge
Strongly emphasizes the aspect of size.
She had a huge appetite.
Big
Praise or recommend something highly
The record's been on the streets a while now, but it's still worth bigging up
Huge
Of exceedingly great size, extent, or quantity.
Big
The major league in a professional sport
The day he made it to the bigs, he forgot every minor league ballpark he ever played in
Huge
Of exceedingly great scope or nature
The huge influence of the Hellenic world.
Big
Of considerable size, number, quantity, magnitude, or extent; large.
Huge
(Informal) Contributing in a major way to success; very important
The defensive line was huge in the second half.
Big
Having great strength or force
A big wind.
In a big rage.
Huge
Very large.
Big
Of great significance; momentous
A big decision.
A big victory.
Huge
(informal) Very strong, powerful, or dedicated.
Both of my parents are huge supporters of animal rights.
Big
Mature or grown-up
Big enough to take the bus by herself.
Huge
(informal) Very interesting, significant, or popular.
The band's next album is going to be huge.
In our league our coach is huge!
Big
Older or eldest. Used especially of a sibling
My big brother is leaving for college next week.
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.
Big
Filled up; brimming over
Felt big with love.
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
Big
Bountiful; generous
Had a big heart.
Big
Pregnant
Big with child.
Big
Having or exercising considerable authority, control, or influence
A big official.
A big chief.
Big
Conspicuous in position, wealth, or importance; prominent
A big figure in the peace movement.
Big
Loud and firm; resounding
A big voice.
Big
(Informal) Widely liked, used, or practiced; popular
"The Minneapolis indie-rock band was big in the blogosphere, beloved by hipsters, and unknown to pretty much everyone else" (Robert Levine).
Big
(Informal) Self-important; cocky
You're too big for your own good.
Big
In a pretentious or boastful way
Talked big about the new job.
Big
With considerable success
Made it big with their recent best-selling album.
Big
In a thorough or unmistakable way; emphatically
Failed big at the box office.
Big
Of great size, large.
Elephants are big animals, and they eat a lot.
Big
(informal) Fat.
Gosh, she is big!
Big
Large with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce.
She was big with child.
Big
(informal) Well-endowed, possessing large breasts in the case of a woman or a large penis in the case of a man.
Whoa, Nadia has gotten pretty big since she hit puberty.
Big
(informal) Adult; (of a child) older.
Kids should get help from big people if they want to use the kitchen.
We were just playing, and then some big kids came and chased us away.
She did it all on her own like a big girl.
Big
Old, mature. Used to imply that somebody is too old for something, or acting immaturely.
Big
.informal Mature, conscientious, principled; generous.
That's very big of you; thank you!
I tried to be the bigger person and just let it go, but I couldn't help myself.
Big
(informal) Important or significant.
What's so big about that? I do it all the time.
Big
Popular.
That style is very big right now in Europe, especially among teenagers.
Big
(of a city) Populous.
Big
(informal) Used as an intensifier, especially of negative-valence nouns
You are a big liar.
Why are you in such a big hurry?
Big
Operating on a large scale, especially if therefore having undue or sinister influence.
There were concerns about the ethics of big pharma.
Big money
Big Tech, Big Steel (large or influential tech or steel companies)
Big Science (science performed by large terms, of large scope, with government or corporate funding)
Big
Enthusiastic (about).
I'm not big on the idea, but if you want to go ahead with it, I won't stop you.
Big
In a loud manner.
Big
In a boasting manner.
He's always talking big, but he never delivers.
Big
In a large amount or to a large extent.
He won big betting on the croquet championship.
Big
On a large scale, expansively.
You've got to think big to succeed at Amalgamated Plumbing.
Big
Hard.
He hit him big and the guy just crumpled.
Big
An important or powerful person; a celebrity; a big name.
Big
(in the plural) The big leagues, big time.
Big
(university slang) A initiated member of a sorority who acts as a mentor to a new member (the little).
Big
(BDSM) The participant in ageplay who acts out the older role.
Big
One or more kinds of barley, especially six-rowed barley.
Big
To inhabit; occupy.
Big
To locate oneself.
Big
To build; erect; fashion.
Big
To dwell; have a dwelling.
Big
Having largeness of size; of much bulk or magnitude; of great size; large.
Big
Great with young; pregnant; swelling; ready to give birth or produce; - often figuratively.
[Day] big with the fate of Cato and of Rome.
Big
Having greatness, fullness, importance, inflation, distention, etc., whether in a good or a bad sense; as, a big heart; a big voice; big looks; to look big. As applied to looks, it indicates haughtiness or pride.
God hath not in heaven a bigger argument.
I talked big to them at first.
Big
Barley, especially the hardy four-rowed kind.
"Bear interchanges in local use, now with barley, now with bigg."
Big
To build.
Big
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
Big
Significant;
Graduation was a big day in his life
Big
Of very great significance;
Deciding to drop the atom bomb was a very big decision
A momentous event
Big
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
Big
Very intense;
A bad headache
In a big rage
Had a big (or bad) shock
A bad earthquake
A bad storm
Big
Loud and firm;
A big voice
Big bold piano sounds
Big
Prodigious;
Big spender
Big eater
Heavy investor
Big
(of animals) fully developed;
An adult animal
A grown woman
Big
Marked by intense physical force;
A big wind
Big
Feeling self-importance;
Too big for his britches
Had a swelled head
He was swelled with pride
Big
Older brother or sister;
Big sister
Big
Exhibiting self-importance;
Big talk
Big
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
Big
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Big
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
Big
Extremely well;
His performance went over big
Big
In a boastful manner;
He talked big all evening
Big
On a grand scale;
Think big
Big
In a major way;
The play failed big at the box office
Big
Significant or important.
It was a big day for her.
Big
Used to emphasize other qualities.
He had a big personality.
Big
Can be used in comparative and superlative forms.
The building was the biggest in the city.
Common Curiosities
Can "big" have comparative and superlative forms?
Yes, "big" can be turned into "bigger" and "biggest."
Can "huge" be used as an adverb?
Generally, no. "Huge" is primarily used as an adjective.
Is "huge" always about physical size?
Primarily, yes, but it can also describe degree or intensity, like a "huge success."
Is "big" always about physical size?
No, "big" can also describe importance or significance, such as a "big decision."
Is "huge" used to describe something as noteworthy?
Yes, but mainly to emphasize its exceptional size or intensity.
Is "huge" a stronger word than "big"?
Generally, yes. "Huge" emphasizes size or intensity more than "big."
Are "big" and "huge" synonyms?
They are similar but not exact synonyms. "Huge" is often stronger and more specific than "big."
Can "big" be used as an adverb?
In informal speech, yes. For example, "He talks big."
Can "big" describe something as noteworthy?
Yes, "big" can emphasize other qualities, like importance or significance.
Which word is more flexible in its usage?
"Big" is more flexible and can describe various qualities and be used in different grammatical forms.
Is "huge" used in professional or formal writing?
Yes, but often to emphasize something as exceptionally large or intense.
Can "huge" have comparative and superlative forms?
Not commonly. It's usually used as a standalone adjective.
Is "big" used in professional or formal writing?
It can be, but it's more commonly found in everyday language.
Which is more commonly used in everyday language?
"Big" is more commonly used in everyday language.
Can "big" and "huge" be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but "huge" usually adds more emphasis on size or intensity.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
