big time

See synonyms for big time on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. Informal. the highest or most important level in any profession or occupation: She's a talented violinist, but she's not ready for the big time.

  2. Slang. a very good time.

  1. Theater. (in vaudeville) any highly successful circuit of theaters that produces two performances daily.

Origin of big time

1
An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Other words from big time

  • big-time, adjective
  • big-timer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for big time

big time

noun
  1. informal

    • the big time the highest or most profitable level of an occupation or profession, esp the entertainment business

    • (as modifier): a big-time comedian

Derived forms of big time

  • big-timer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with big time

big time

An enjoyable or exciting time, as in The children came home exhausted but happy; they really had a big time at the circus. [Mid-1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.