Phrase guide

great deal

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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1

noun

Meaning 1

Large number, amount, or extent; profusion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, singular, usually

Examples

  • We have a great deal of territory to cover.
  • Few expressed any great deal of confidence in the legislative branch.
  • The audience is generally unaware of the great deal of work that goes into its creation.
  • They didn't realize he had this great deal of intellectual depth.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see great, deal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I got a great deal on a motorcycle.
  • There are plenty of great deals on flights.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a batch of letters
  • a deal of trouble
  • a lot of money
  • he made a mint on the stock market
  • see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
  • it must have cost plenty
  • a slew of journalists
  • a wad of money

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: batch, deal, flock, good deal, hatful, heap, lot, mass, mess, mickle, mint, mountain, muckle, passel, peck, pile, plenty, pot, quite a little, raft, sight, slew, spate, stack, tidy sum, wad

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: large indefinite quantity, large indefinite amount

Narrower terms: flood, inundation, deluge, torrent, haymow

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chickasaw: lawa — a large number, amount
  • Chickasaw: i̠lawa — a large number, amount
  • Irish: mórchuid — a large number, amount
  • Polish: masa — a large number, amount
  • Polish: wiele — a large number, amount
  • Polish: mnóstwo — a large number, amount