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.
The big deal here is the tasting menu, available in a la carte, or in 4- or 10- courses. — Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Assassination is a big deal for them. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 But big deals are in the offing — Charter shares surged Monday as investors bet on exactly that. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 29 June 2026 Getting Morant when his trade value is apparently at its lowest without having to give up actual assets and/or draft capital could be a pretty big deal. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 29 June 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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