Phrase guide

big hand

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Qualifier: children's vocabulary; primary school age; children's vocabulary; primary school age

Examples

  • When the big hand gets to the "9", we say that there are 15 minutes left before the next hour strikes.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: minute hand

Antonyms: little hand

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see big, hand: for example, a strong round of applause, a great deal of assistance, or a large body part.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • What a great job these kids have done today! Let's give them a big hand, everybody! [hearty applause]
  • Several people gave me a hand with getting this work done on time. In particular, Sean gave me a really big hand with the number-crunching.
  • My grandfather had very big hands. They were so big that some of his classmates when he was a child even teased him about it — that is, the ones who dared! He would reply by asking whether they were looking for a slap or a punch!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

points to the minutes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: minute hand

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hand

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.