big deal

noun

: something of special importance
what's the big deal?
—sometimes used ironically as an interjection

Examples of big deal in a Sentence

The party was a big deal. The cost didn't seem like much to me, but I know it was a big deal for many people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her arrival at Fox News and Fox Business Network was a big deal, an important hire. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026 And with players in major European leagues still able to depart their clubs beyond the deadline, there is potential for big deals to still be done in the coming days. — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The Moon’s awkward angle to Venus this morning may bring tiny mismatches around timing, mood, or social plans, but nothing needs to become a big deal. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026 For every consumer who looked at the Callaway and Good Good ad and was outraged, there were others who looked at it and wondered what the big deal was. — Sonia Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big deal

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of big deal was in 1915

Rhymes for big deal

See All Rhymes for big deal

Browse Nearby Words

big data
big deal
Big Dick
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20deal. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All