large

Large is an adjective used to describe something of considerable size, extent, or importance. Its sense is often relative to a reference point or domain, so what is large in one context may be ordinary in another. The word derives from Latin largus meaning abundant, passed into Old French and English in the sense of spacious or extensive.

In everyday language, large applies to physical dimensions (a large building), quantity (a large crowd), or magnitude (a large risk or impact). It also features in phrases such as large-scale, large amounts, or large numbers. The term is often used without precise measurement, relying on context to convey degree.

In science and mathematics, 'large' denotes quantities that exceed a typical or convenient size. Large numbers such as millions or billions are common in accounting, astronomy, and data analysis. In computing and data management, large data sets or large files require substantial storage and processing power. In physics and cosmology, 'large' describes objects or phenomena that are sizable relative to human-scale quantities or that operate on grand spatial or temporal scales.

Because it is relative, 'large' lacks a fixed threshold. Its comparative and superlative forms—larger, largest—reflect situational benchmarks. The term is often used alongside synonyms such as big, huge, or substantial, with nuances depending on context.