major

"Major" is a word that carries weight. Most often, it describes something important, large, or serious. A major decision can change the course of your life, like choosing a career path, and a major breakthrough can move things forward in a big way. It often points to the main thing, not something small or secondary. In education, it also means your main subject of study, as in majoring in history or biology. Whether it describes an event, a problem, or your field in college, "major" suggests something important and central rather than minor.

The word "major" has several related meanings, and they all point to something important, central, or large in scale. Most often, it is an adjective. A major problem needs serious attention, and a major achievement is something worth celebrating. In this sense, it is often the opposite of "minor."

The word is also common in academic life. As a noun, your major is your main area of study in college or university. As a verb, you can say that you major in a subject such as engineering, art, or history.

"Major" also appears in the military. A major is an officer rank in many armed forces, usually above captain and below lieutenant colonel.

In music, "major" describes a key, scale, or chord that often sounds bright, open, or cheerful compared with a minor one. Across daily life, education, the military, and music, the word consistently points to something important, main, or notable.