biggish
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɪɡɪʃ/
US
- /bˈɪɡɪʃ/
Description
- Somewhat large
- Moderately big
- Larger than average
- Not quite huge
"Biggish" isn't exactly big, it's… well, bigger than small! It suggests something is moderately large, but not overwhelmingly so. Think of a "biggish" dog— not a Great Dane, but definitely not a Chihuahua. It implies an approximate size without being precise. You might describe a problem as "biggish" if it's noticeable but not catastrophic, or a crowd as "biggish" when it's more than a few people but not a massive throng. It's a casual, conversational way to talk about size—the kind of word you might use when chatting with a friend rather than in a formal report.
"Biggish" is an informal adjective meaning somewhat large or fairly big. It's a softening of "big," implying a moderate degree of size without being specific. Unlike precise measurements, "biggish" relies on subjective perception – what one person considers "biggish," another might see as simply "medium."
The charm of "biggish" lies in its vagueness. It's often used when exact dimensions aren't important or known. You might describe a "biggish" house, meaning it has enough room but isn't a mansion. A "biggish" mistake is one that needs fixing but won't ruin your day. Or perhaps you packed a "biggish" suitcase for your vacation—containing more than just the essentials, but not so much that you'll have to pay extra baggage fees.
Interestingly, while "biggish" is recognized by many dictionaries, it is firmly rooted in the realm of colloquial and informal speech. It's a word born from adding the suffix "-ish" to "big," a common way to create adjectives indicating approximation or resemblance (similar to "reddish" or "smallish").
So, when you want to convey size without being overly precise—when "large" feels too strong and "medium" feels too weak—reach for "biggish." It's a friendly, approachable word that adds a casual tone to your descriptions.
Examples
- 1
Travel
We rented a biggish car for the trip because there were five of us.
Usage
biggish is often used for a rough, informal description, not an exact size
- 2
Town size
It’s a biggish town, but you can still walk around the center easily.
- 3
Crowd size
By six o’clock, there was already a biggish crowd outside the station.
- 4
Company size
She works for a biggish company, not a huge multinational.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- biggishadjective