bigger

Everyday

1. Bigger means larger in size or amount than another. tree →
2. Bigger means older: «my bigger brother» (informal). tree →
3. Bigger means more important or more serious: «a bigger problem». tree →

In the lessons

a comparison of two amounts or sizes; in maths, comparing numbers with > («is bigger than»); phrases «bigger than», «bigger and bigger», «the bigger the better»

Examples

• Which number is bigger, 45 or 54? tree →
• The bigger box holds 12 more toys. tree →
• Her garden is 3 times bigger than his. tree →
• The bigger piece weighs 2 kg. tree →
• An elephant is bigger than a horse. tree →
• The balloon got bigger and bigger. tree →
• 7 > 5 means 7 is bigger than 5. tree →
• We need a bigger table for the party. tree →
• Missing the bus is a bigger problem than being a bit late. tree →
• My feet are bigger than last year. tree →
• There was a bigger one near by. tree →

Note

Signals a comparison: the bigger amount = smaller + difference. Trap: «3 times bigger» is usually read as 3 times as big. Double the g: big → bigger, biggest. The sign > opens toward the bigger number.